The grandmother and mother of Qiang Qiang, a boy in Hefei, Anhui province, have visited almost all kindergartens in the city, but have not found any suitable for the child - because none had male teachers.

Qiang Qiang's father is reportedly working outside Hefei and the boy stays at home with his mom and grandma.

The women fear the child would become too feminine without any male contact and have been searching for a kindergarten with male teachers to make him more masculine.

An official at the Hefei teacher's college said the lack of male teachers is a "national problem".

One male teaching graduate told reporters he and his classmates would not work in kindergartens as long as the salaries remain low.

(chinadaily.com.cn January 12, 2008)