The norms are applicable from March 27 this year when they were published in the Gazette of the Government of India. The revised guidelines made a Ph.d in education mandatory as an eligibility criterion for selection of principals in the BEd colleges, also known as college of education.

``It seems that universities and colleges of education are not fully acclimatised with the authority and functions of the National Council for Teacher Education. It unfortunately leads to difficultiesfor universities, colleges and principals. As the Association of Principals of Colleges of Education, we are primarily interested in the problems of principals. I wish to bring it to your kind notice one such problem related to the appointment of principals in colleges of education,'' maintains the letter.

``We have come across at least five colleges affiliated to the University of Mumbai appointing principals in violation of the revised guidelines. Similar instances were also noticed in other universities. This has prompted us to write to the concerned universities,'' said Dr Patil.

The association sent the letter to the NCTE's regional office at Bhopal as well, said Dr Patil. The regional director of NCTE, Bhopal, Prem Ahuja confirmed receiving the communication. ``We have also sent a letter to the University of Mumbai with the Parishad letter's attached, saying NCTE norms regarding appointment of staff must be adhered to,'' Ahuja told Express Newsline.

However Ahuja also said the NCTE waspreparing for a dialogue with the Maharashtra government for issuing circulars stipulating that henceforth, appointments approved by the university would have to conform to the revised guidelines. The NCTE similarly had a dialogue with the Gujarat government, he informed.

This, however, implies that the appointments made in the intervening period stay valid. Also, NCTE's position may henceforth have to be re-defined by the respective state government in repeated circulars!

The university refused to directly comment on the matter. Initially, the vice-chancellor of the university, Dr Snehalata S Deshmukh agreed to share her views, but later backtracked. She instead instructed this reporter to speak to the deputy registrar (Public Relations) V P Chavan. However, Chavan refused to go on record. This reporter was then instructed to talk to Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Naresh Chandra, who also could not throw much light on the university's stand on the issue. Finally, a university official did confirm receiving theletter from NCTE. ``We are in the process of referring the matter to the state government. Till we get a government resolution or circular to the effect of this revised guideline, we cannot implement the guidelines,'' said the official.

However, the official was not in a position to answer why the university had not taken action on the Pracharya Parishad's letter earlier, or whether officials were at all aware about the revised guidelines.