West End Primary parents and students have won an ongoing battle for a second Primary One teacher at the school.

PTA president Sibylle Ross yesterday learned that the school will get another Primary One teacher by November 16.

And while she still had to meet with parents last night, Mrs. Ross told The Royal Gazette she thought the resolution was fair.

Parents have been calling for a second Primary One class at West End Primary since school began.

There were as many as 27 students in the Primary One class after the Education Ministry changed the school from a two-form entry to a one-form entry facility.

At least two parents took their children out of the school as a result of the overcrowding.

And during a meeting last month with Education Minister Tim Smith, parents expressed concern that the Primary One class was too big to provide "first-class education equally to all children in the class''.

Mr. Smith, after visiting the school, admitted that it could accommodate another class. But he said the decision to do so depended on the "human resources and financial resources'' available.

Last week, however, Mr. Smith told the PTA that there would be no additional class because he could not convince Education officers that another teacher was needed at West End.

As a result of this parents held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss their next course of action.

During the meeting Mr. Smith was reportedly bombarded with questions and concerns from parents. He left with the commitment that he would have an answer for them this week.

And after a "long'' meeting with Mrs. Ross yesterday it appeared that the Ministry had backed down on its original decision.

"When controversy arises it is always important to stand back, listen closely and re-examine the opinions surrounding the issue,'' Mr. Smith said.

Commenting on the decision, Mrs. Ross said: "I think it is a fair compromise.

It is only three more weeks of school until the mid-term break. I have to take it to parents in a meeting tonight. But we should be happy and let it rest at that.''