Jakarta \u2014 Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has clarified several\nmisleading narratives claiming that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG)\nprogramme is reducing education budgets, causing schools to be\nneglected, and disregarding teacher welfare.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday,\nTeddy stated that the 2026 education budget has been agreed upon jointly\nby the government, parliament, and the parliamentary budget committee,\nincluding its allocation and purpose.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, all strategic education programmes from the previous period\ncontinue to run without any being halted; they have even been\nincreased,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He noted that education programmes continue to be strengthened,\nincluding the Indonesia Smart Card and the Indonesia Smart Programme\n(PIP) remaining operational.<\/p>\n
Under President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s leadership, Teddy said, access to\neducation has been expanded through the People\u2019s School for\nout-of-school children, equipped with accommodation, education,\nnutritious meals, and health insurance. By last year, nearly 16,000 to\n20,000 students were enrolled across 166 schools, with a target of 100\nadditional schools this year. Additionally, education infrastructure is\nbeing addressed concretely.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough schools are under local government jurisdiction, the\ncentral government has renovated approximately 16,000 schools in 2025\nwith a budget of Rp17 trillion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In addition, the government is accelerating learning digitalisation\nthrough the distribution of 280,000 digital televisions, which will\ncontinue to be expanded, Teddy added.<\/p>\n
Regarding teacher welfare, Teddy stated that the central government\nhas raised incentives to Rp400,000 after 20 years (2005-2025).<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough the salaries of non-permanent teachers are under local\ngovernment authority,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Teddy reported that non-civil servant teacher allowances have\nincreased from Rp1.5 million to Rp2 million in 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe allowance is now transferred directly to teachers monthly,\nhaving previously been transferred quarterly and through local\ngovernments,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cabinet-secretary-free-nutritious-meal-programme-does-not-reduce-education-budget-1772211454", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }