The long-standing question of senior or selection scales for principals who have served more than 12 years, was deftly avoided by the Minister, who said that it was impossible for any government to put a price on the ``invaluable'' teaching service. ``So what if your duties require 24 hours of your time? The satisfaction you derive is worth much more than the money. That's my personal view.''

A demand from a principal of a Navodaya Vidyalaya in Latur for appointment of wardens to reduce the work-load of teachers who double as housemasters in these residential schools, was brushed off with a statement that ``no warden can replace the positive influence of teachers who are also surrogate parents for the children.''

Principal L J Singh of KV School 2, R S Colaba, described the delay in implementation of the Rs 300 teaching allowance with effect from January 1 '96, part of the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission. The wards of teachers `transferred' from other states to Maharashtra are denied admission to engineering and medical colleges. On behalf of the principals present, he appealed to the Minister for a change in the wording `transfer', to `posting', as followed in Andhra Pradesh, which would permit admission to their children in the states' colleges.

Another significant point expressed was to speed up the process of sanction and transfer of staff, which currently finishes by November instead of the deadline of June 30, creating a five-month staff crunch in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

At present principals of Navodaya schools, started to promote talent from rural areas, receive no pension on retirement, unlike principals of Kendriya Vidyalayas. Requests for higher pay scales and teaching allowance, creation of posts of peons, additional chowkidars and laboratory attendants were put forth.

Patil expressed the hope that the Maharashtra model of free education for girls upto SSC should be taken up countrywide.

Brimming with philosophy, Patil exhorted the principals to ``keep the faith,'' ``be calm and fearless,'' and said he would arrange an inquiry into their grievances, particularly for pension and teaching allowance. He mentioned a proposal under study, to start `flying squads' to inspect Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, and his desire to personally visit them.

A B Joshi, assistant commissioner Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghatana, Mumbai region, and T S Naidu, deputy director, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, presented reports at the annual principals conference held at the Kendriya Vidyalaya Southern Command today.