It is strange that ministers should also be asked to sign the pledge of good conduct, when the Westminster convention on ministerial responsibility is hardly ever enforced by parliament ( Compulsory for cabinet ministers to pledge loyalty: PM

, Jan 28).

The fuss that all are required to sign the pledge, including ministers is just a public relations exercise. I think the people feel a lot better if ministers stuck to the convention. I think the announcement may be intended to deflect dissatisfaction of lecturers and students being coerced to sign the pledge in the near future.

What we need to hear is what happens if there is a refusal to sign by lecturers and students? Are they to be disciplined or arrested for 'national security' and 'public order' reasons? Is refusal unpatriotic and an act of treason? Have there been proper discussions on this at all? The silence indicates intimidation and fear in our campuses.

It might be worthwhile to take the education minister to task in Parliament for forcing such 'agreements'.