THIS is in response to reader Klara Chua's letter, "Stressful for teachers to live with 'prim' stereotype" (The New Paper, November 3).

I wholly agree with her point of view.

I find that such a debate is just simply pointless. If people holding other jobs can post their vacation photos of themselves in swimwear on a social networking site or blog, why can't teachers do the same?

Just because you are clad in a bikini doesn't mean you are a bad influence on children.

You cannot expect students to be immediately influenced by just a bikini picture. If that is the case, we can jolly well remove all lingerie or beach wear advertisements featuring actors or singers, who are also known to be role models of some students.

There is definitely a line between your personal life and your work. The most important thing is that the teacher does what he/she ought to do - teach and prepare students for society.

It doesn't matter if the teacher struts around in a bikini on a beach after work or has some weird hobby.

But one example of a teacher crossing the line is when he smokes and encourages his/her students to do so. That is truly something that should be frowned on.

There are worse things out there worth debating about than issues like these.

Low Yong Chien, Andy

This letter was first published in The New Paper on November 5, 2008.