The issue of meritocracy has featured much recently in discussions in developed countries. In Singapore, it has sparked soul-searching as the country prides itself on being a meritocratic society where people can do well regardless of their family origins or social connections.

Meritocracy was a hot topic in this week's Parliament sitting, with Education Minister Ong Ye Kung acknowledging that meritocracy is "in danger of becoming a dirty word", as those who benefited from an open system went on to invest educational and social resources to boost their children's chances of succeeding in the system.