BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Authority education ministry will punish teachers who went on strike without the approval of their union, the ministry undersecretary said Sunday.

Muhammad Abu Zeid said around 4,000 teachers who ignored their union's decision to end the strike would not be paid for the days they were absent.

Some teachers were reprimanded by moving them to schools a long way from their homes, but were allowed to return to their usual place of work after signing a commitment not to go on strike without their union's authorization again, Abu Zeid told Ma'an.

The ministry has appointed a committee to identify headteachers and staff who encouraged the wildcat strike, Abu Zeid said.

"Punishment is not a goal, but rather an attempt to put the education process back on the right track," he added.

Meanwhile, the ministry will apply a special schedule to make up lesson time lost to the strike, with extra lessons on Saturdays until the end of the semester.

"In case of any emergencies, the ministry will extend the semester by one week," Abu Zeid said, adding that the syllabus must be completed.

Many teachers in the West Bank rejected their union's decision to cancel a general strike over the irregular payment of salaries. The union announced the end of the strike after reaching an agreement with the government.