Indonesia’s Free School Meal Program Will Not Impact Education Budget
Jakarta – Indonesia’s Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, has affirmed that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program will not result in cuts to the education budget. He assured stakeholders that strategic education programs will continue and expand in 2026.
Assurances of Continued Funding
“If there is an assumption that the MBG reduces the education budget, we firmly state that it is not true,” Minister Mu’ti stated during a Coordination Meeting for the Implementation of the MBG Program in East Java on February 19, 2026 [Tempo.co]. He emphasized the President’s commitment to ongoing education initiatives.
Infrastructure Development
In 2025, the government allocated Rp16.9 trillion for the revitalization of 16,167 educational units across Indonesia, with a 93% completion rate [Tempo.co]. For 2026, the state budget includes over Rp14 trillion for the revitalization of 11,474 educational units. President Prabowo Subianto plans to add further funding for an additional 60,000 units, potentially bringing the total revitalized units to approximately 71,000 [Tempo.co].
Continued Investment in Key Programs
Mu’ti likewise confirmed that funding for digitalization of learning, student assistance, and teacher training will remain consistent. The Smart Indonesia Program (PIP) will also be expanded to include kindergarten students in 2026, with an additional Rp450,000 per year allocated for 888,000 kindergarten students nationwide [Tempo.co].
MBG as an Investment in Human Capital
The MBG program is viewed by the government as a crucial investment in Indonesia’s future human capital, targeting school-age children up to senior high school level and pregnant women [Antara News]. As of February 18, 2026, the program has reached 280,023 educational institutions, benefiting 43.17 million students across the country [Antara News].
Supporting the “Seven Habits of a Great Indonesia Vision”
Mu’ti emphasized that the MBG program is not an isolated policy but is integrated into the “Seven Habits of a Great Indonesia Vision,” promoting healthy living, religious practice, a love of learning, and community engagement [Antara News]. He added that nutritious eating is fundamental to character building.
Infrastructure Improvements Alongside the Program
To support the MBG program, the Ministry of Education and Culture is also focused on improving sanitation and health infrastructure. In 2025, 14,591 toilets were constructed or rehabilitated across 11,490 units, and 6,686 health and safety rooms were developed [Tempo.co].