Education Minister Terry Lister has put the controversy surrounding St. George?s Prep on hold while he strives to resolve an Island-wide teachers? sick-out.

Worried parents are questioning why, however, when ?it would only take five minutes? to hold a Press conference confirming an Appeals Committee decision to keep the second Primary One stream at the school next year.

Twenty-five families have been battling for weeks to reverse a Ministry of Education decision to axe the second stream at St. George?s Prep for the coming 2004-2005 year.

Though Mr. Lister has said the decision was made in the best interests of the public education system Island-wide, not just in the East End, last week an Appeals Committee sided with the parents.

The Committee cited the Education Act 1998 which states children may receive a free education at any primary school selected by the child?s parents that is in the child?s neighbourhood and has accommodation available.

It also states that, in the event of an appeal, the decision of the Appeals Committee ?shall be final?, and that the respondent must abide by that decision.

The Appeals Committee was due to give their written ruling on Monday, and Mr. Lister scheduled a press conference for yesterday to announce the Ministry?s decision.

But with teachers on sick-out, Mr. Lister temporarily postponed any statement on St. George?s Prep to focus on efforts to resolve that issue.

He will hold a press conference on the matter as soon as possible, he said.

Parent spokesperson Nick Duffy said he hoped Mr. Lister had not cancelled the press conference because he did not intend to follow the democratic process.

?It would only take five minutes to do a press conference congratulating parents on following the process and promising to stand by the decision,? he said last night. ?Then he can get on with dealing with the teachers.

?But I?m going to give him the benefit of the doubt.?