I WAS disappointed to hear that the Government is thinking of penalising parents who take their children on holiday during the school term.

I would like to think that we are making excellent progress under the Labour government, ie flexible working practices set up for single, working people and families, are working well for the country.

So why do they not take a long hard look at the education system. The whole of the holiday system could do with a complete overhaul.

Schools have holidays over Easter, summer, autumn and at Christmas, so surely someone can come up with a reasonable solution as to what can be done.

Do schools really need to have six to eight weeks off in the summer? I would ask the parents of large families that question. There are 52 weeks in a year, so surely someone from the education department can come up with something to debate at the very least, instead of having this ridiculous situation of penalising parents!

For out-of-term holidays, I think it would benefit children's education far better, if the summer break was reduced.

Alex Holding, Lupton Street, Chorley