COMMENTING on today's reports that schools are being penalised for staying open during the bad weather, Shadow Education Minister Paul Davies AM said:

"It seems grossly unfair that schools are being penalised for absenteeism if they stay open but not all pupils can make it into class.

"I accept that individual head teachers must make decisions on whether or not to stay open based on the safety of pupils and staff.

"But it seems they are being pressurised to close, sometimes un-necessarily, simply to avoid being penalised.

"The Assembly Government needs to clarify its position and explain what guidance it has issued to schools and LEAs during the bad winter weather."