China kindergarten criticised for asking parents to collectively pledge not to behave uncivilly

The head of a kindergarten in northern China was suspended after a viral video captured her organising parents to pledge to “not be bear parents” and to show respect for teachers.

The principal, identified only by her surname Wang, gathered dozens of parents on September 2 at Hanlin Kindergarten in Shanxi province, where they all placed their right hands on their hearts to take an oath, as reported by Yellow River News.

Among their vows were commitments to “never use WeChat to request that teachers hydrate or change clothes for my child” and “never get angry when my child sustains a small bruise from playing at school.”

Other promises included not threatening punishment at school for misbehaving at home, or blaming the school if their child gets sick.

“Whatever the circumstances, never scowl at teachers. Communicate with teachers positively. We must trust teachers, for they have looked after more children than us and are professionals,” the parents swore, adding: “Don’t be a bear parent.”

The term “bear parent” is borrowed from the common Chinese slang “bear child”, which describes naughty or undisciplined children.