When National Union of the Teaching Professional secretary-general Siva Subramaniam revealed that 10 percent of national schools in the country practise segregration of students based on race, our Education Minister Musa Mohamad denied that his ministry has such a policy. He even challenged Siva to prove his allegation in seven days in order for actions to be taken.

One cannot fathom the attitude of our education minister. Firstly, he's not doing enough by just denying that the ministry does not have such a policy. His lukewarm response towards such allegations, and somewhat hinting to the people that he does not really believe them, shows that he is not fit to in his position.

Instead of 'challenging' Siva to prove the allegations, Musa's ministry should start investigating. Isn't it the duty of the ministry to ensure that all schools comply with its policy?

When the allegations of segregation based on race were revealed, many non-Muslim parents already knew of its existence in the national schools. Thus, one wonders why the education minister was ignorant about it. It is very telling of the ministry's inefficiency.

To make matters worse, we have Abdul Malek, the chairperson of Islamic Education and Studies Committee, accusing the NUTP secretary-general of lying! Trying to create the perception that Siva is a racist, he alleged that Siva was only more concerned about the welfare of Indian students.

By accusing others of racism, Abdul Malek must have thought he could "cover up" his own racism. But I do not see Siva as a racist.

I personally doubt if any harsh actions would be taken against errant school heads guilty of practising segregation based on race. I'm just prepared for more silly reasons from the ministry.