When the issue of racial segregation in schools first surfaced late last year after parents of several students from a school in Selangor complained their children who qualified among the top five in their classes were relegated to the second class; it appeared that the problem was one of the students concerned not being able to get to the top class when their marks allowed it. And their places were taken by students of another race who had lower marks. The problem was one of neglect of meritocracy rather than about racial segregation.

Somehow, however, the newspapers turned it into a problem of racial segregation in schools.

Next, a high-powered committee was formed to look into the matter, the results

of which are now out — and as to be expected no racial segregation was found.

Incidentally one of the findings goes as follows: In cases where "monoethnic" cases are unavoidable, the committee suggested that the top class should be open to students from all races.

Now what does this mean? Are we back to square one, i.e. lack of meritocracy?