WHEN the reports first came in that a girl had gone missing on a school trip in France, parents everywhere will have experienced a shudder of fear. Eleven-year-old Bunmi Shagaya's disappearance in Dieppe is the stuff of nightmares.

As the school year approaches its end, many children are looking forward to similar excursions.

Such trips are hugely valuable, socially and educationally, not to mention fun.

Worried parents must take comfort from knowing it is extremely rare that anything goes wrong. Their children will return hugely enriched by the experience.

Meanwhile, our thoughts are with Bunmi's parents.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, July 04, 2001