Headteachers in Newtown are to be given responsibility in principle to decide on authorising family holidays during term time.
Parents have been left confused up until now after some parents in England were fined and even prosecuted for taking their children on holiday during term time.
Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George, has led calls for clearer guidance from the Welsh Government and now it has responded saying headteachers should use their discretion.
“I’m pleased that after having highlighted this issue to Welsh Government, they have published guidance to ensure that schools and parents know where they stand.
“I am pleased that common sense seems to have prevailed and that the Welsh Government agrees with the principle that it should be up to individual head teachers to use their discretion in authorising family holidays during term time.“
Dedicated family time can be just as important to a young person’s growing up as their formal education and family breaks should not be automatically written off as a lack of learning time.
”The Welsh Government published the guidance following Russell George’s calls to end the confusion and ambiguity for schools and parents.
However, questions remain about how head teachers will juggle the competing objectives of endorsing family holidays while being under constant pressure to improve attendance.
Mr George added: “While I welcome the guidance, I remain concerned that head teachers will continue to be torn between supporting families and being judged on attendance data.
“I will be seeking the views of head teachers, as they will still be mindful of the pressure to improve attendance when considering whether to endorse a family holiday during term time.
“Putting the power in the hands of teachers who know the learning needs of their pupils is the right way forward but head teachers must be given the freedom to make decisions without fear of being criticised from other quarters for following Welsh Government guidance.”