Of late, a set of suggestive photographs of Tao Linzhu, a young female college lecturer at Sichuan Conservatory of Music (SCM), has spread over the Internet. Some netizens are angry, while others even say the sexy photographs are a blot on the image of teachers. Students, on the other hand, have labeled Tao "hot teacher of SCM" and call her a "goddess". Given the stark divide over the issue, we have to be open-minded toward the image of a teacher, says an article in Huaxi Metropolis Daily. Excerpts:

Tao's photographs, although termed "sexy" by some netizens, are not out of line.

They don't violate social morals, nor do they humiliate teachers' image.

She is not only a music teacher, but also a pop singer who has won many awards.

As she said, "it is my job to stand on a platform as a teacher, but singing on stage is my musical dream". Therefore, if she chooses to put the two identities together, we should not object to it.

Tao's is not the only such case. Many young people long to show their skills in areas that are not part of their job.

We already know about the traffic cop dancing tango, the greengrocer with the high-pitched voice and the fashionable cleaner.

These are people who want to excel outside their jobs.

Teachers can be different when they are away from school or college, because they have their own interests and hobbies like other people.

And Tao, too, can change the traditional image of a female teacher if she can do it without hurting anyone or breaking social norms.

(China Daily 01/17/2012 page9)