A requirement that grade 1 pupils in the southern province of Dong Nai have to sign a pledge not to violate traffic regulations has met with opposition from some parents.

The traffic safety board and the Department of Education and Training of Dong Nai Province have jointly issued a traffic commitment for all pupils from local primary to high schools to sign on.

Pupils at a primary school in Dong Nai

The paper includes many regulations such as wearing life jackets when being on waterway means of transport; avoiding overcrowding; not driving motorbikes before the age of 16 and not supporting illegal racing.

The pledge says the pupil will be subject to school discipline if involved in violating any of the clauses.

Many parents said that it seems to be the formalism to require first grade pupils to sign such a commitment as they are too young to be held legally responsible.

Speaking with reporters, Dr. Tran Thanh Nam from children psychology faculty of the National University in Hanoi, said that the idea was good in terms of civic responsibility but the way it has been implemented has been inflexible.

At the age of six, pupils should be taught about traffic problems through vivid pictures rather than being asked to sign such a paper which they do not understand.

Many parents suggested that the pledge was more suitable for pupils who are at least at grade 4 or 5.

However, some other agreed with the concept, saying children should gain a sense of responsibility for their actions even when they are small.