Super girls have gone, so what's next? Super teachers?

A local newspaper's decision to hold a contest to find the most charismatic teachers has sparked a debate over the importance of teachers' charm, as well as claims that the event is more like a beauty pageant than a test of teaching ability.

All the teachers in Xuzhou, in East China's Jiangsu Province, were eligible to join the contest organized by local paper the Municipal Morning Post.

Competitors needed only to submit a description of their teaching philosophy, together with their results and a photo.

Their submissions will be published on the paper and have been posted online so readers can vote for their favourite.

The announcement of the top 100 candidates, selected from the original more than 600 on Monday, drew harsh criticism, with many claiming teachers had made it into the running because of their attractiveness rather than professional ability.

Young and pretty teachers from primary schools and kindergartens account 60 per cent of the final 100, with 16 teachers from dancing schools receiving the most votes, reported the Yangtse Evening Post.

People can still vote for their favourite teacher until the final part of the contest an open class and a talent show takes place at the end of the month.

Chief organizer Yin Suhui said that, besides the public vote, the opinions of a panel of judges, including education experts and famous artists, as well as a jury of students and teachers, will decide the final results.

An official surnamed Wang was quoted by the Yangtse Evening Post as saying that the event was like the "super girl contest."

An online poll on web portal sina.com, which drew more than 260 respondents, showed that more than 60 per cent of netizens are opposed to the contest.

"Charm is a teacher's unique ability to arouse students' interest, not simply a pretty face," one respondent wrote.

But Yin hit back at the criticism. "Young and middle aged teachers make up the backbone of many schools, so no wonder they account for the majority of the final 100," he said.

"Teaching experience, awards and popularity among students will definitely be given priority in our final selection."

Yin said the online selection reflected teachers' popularity as most of the votes were cast by students and parents.

Li Mei, an associate professor on education from the Xuzhou Normal University said: "Moral character, knowledge and teaching technique are definitely the most important factors, but dress can capture students' attention."

Li suggested the contest should divide teachers into different age groups to avoid possible arguments about why people had made the final cut.