PARENT power puts schools under close scrutiny these days.

League tables are pored over and mums and dads will quickly complain if resources are thought to be sub-standard, standards slipping or they believe teachers could be doing a better job in educating their children.

Quite right too.

And they also make a contribution at most schools by supporting activities inside and outside the classroom.

But now we hear they are to be fined if they take children on holiday during term time without permission.

Because of work commitments some parents just cannot get away during school holidays and many more cannot afford to get away because of the way holiday companies jack up prices as soon as term ends.

Getting to know how people exist in a foreign country is a life enhancing experience.

If children are at primary school or even older but obviously not in the run up to important exams it is difficult to see how permission can be fairly refused.

No one would condone regular abuse or removal of children at key periods.

But if a foreign holiday has to be taken occasionally during term time - because the child would not otherwise get one - it seems petty to make an issue of pursuing parents for comparatively harmless actions.