Expert staff at the Government Communication Office Hariqo Wibawa Satria explained in a podcast with ANTARA here on Thursday that the education budget in 2026 reaches Rp769.8 trillion (around US$45.58 billion).
The allocation includes Rp223.5 trillion (US$13.23 billion) for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to manage the MBG program.
“Nutrition is the foundation of learning. The MBG program does not reduce the education sector but ensures that the large education budget is not wasted because students are ready to learn,” Satria said.
He stressed that MBG is inseparable from the education system because proper nutrition forms the basis for students’ learning processes.
In addition, several other education programs have not experienced budget reductions, with some even seeing increases, such as teacher allowances and education assistance.
“The document (circulating in public) actually shows the classification of budget functions or components within the education budget, not cuts to the education budget,” he explained.
Beyond providing meals, the MBG program is expected to serve as a foundation for quality human resource development toward the Golden Indonesia 2045.
Government data show that 96 percent of Indonesians lack adequate consumption of vegetables and fruits, 66 percent of children have poor eating habits, and 65 percent of children do not eat breakfast before going to school.
“Additionally, 32 percent of teenage girls experience anemia and 21 percent of toddlers suffer from stunting,” he added.
Therefore, Satria said that the free meal program also aims to build a new culture of healthy eating habits and nutrition awareness from school age.
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Translator: Lintang, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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