{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1627891,
        "msgid": "education-minister-assures-education-budget-unaffected-by-free-nutritious-meals-programme-1774068672",
        "date": "2026-03-21 10:44:26",
        "title": "Education Minister Assures Education Budget Unaffected by Free Nutritious Meals Programme",
        "author": "",
        "source": "TEMPO_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, has reassured that the education budget remains intact despite the government's implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, which is currently under challenge at the Constitutional Court. He emphasised that while education is a top priority, the government must also address other essential needs such as health, nutrition, and the economy, with significant allocations planned for 2026 including Rp181 trillion for school revitalisation, digitalisation, and teacher training. Mu'ti highlighted that MBG and educational development are complementary efforts to enhance human resources, proceeding gradually rather than instantaneously.",
        "content": "<p>The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul\nMu\u2019ti, has affirmed that the education budget will not be reduced, even\nas the government implements the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme,\nwhich is currently being challenged at the Constitutional Court.<\/p>\n<p>Minister Mu\u2019ti stated that national budget policies must be viewed\nholistically. According to him, education remains a priority, but the\ngovernment also has a responsibility to meet other basic needs of\nsociety, such as health, nutrition, and the economy.<\/p>\n<p>Even though the education budget is being utilised for MBG, he\nemphasised that the government\u2019s commitment to the education sector has\nnot diminished. \u201cIndonesia\u2019s affairs are not just about schools. There\nis health, nutrition, the economy. So not everything has to go towards\nbuilding schools,\u201d said Mu\u2019ti when met at his residence in Pondok Cabe,\nSouth Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.<\/p>\n<p>He explained that educational development cannot be achieved\nsimultaneously in a short time. Improvements to infrastructure,\nenhancements in teacher quality, and transformations in the learning\nsystem require a gradual process.<\/p>\n<p>In 2026, the government has allocated approximately Rp16.9 trillion\nfor the revitalisation of 16,167 educational units. President Prabowo\nSubianto is said to have increased the target to 60,000 educational\nunits to be revitalised gradually.<\/p>\n<p>The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has also proposed a\nbudget of Rp181 trillion to the House of Representatives (DPR). This\nbudget will support various priority programmes, from school\nrevitalisation and learning digitalisation to the development of\nintegrated schools and teacher training and competency enhancement.<\/p>\n<p>Mu\u2019ti also highlighted the importance of digitalisation in education.\nThe government is promoting the use of modern learning devices such as\nInteractive Flat Panels (IFP) or smart whiteboards in schools. According\nto him, this step can increase student engagement and learning\nenthusiasm, although the results cannot be felt instantly.<\/p>\n<p>He affirmed that the MBG programme and educational development are\nnot mutually conflicting. Both are designed to run in tandem as part of\nefforts to improve the quality of human resources. \u201cEverything is\nprogressing, but gradually. It can\u2019t be done as quickly as turning the\npalm of the hand,\u201d said Mu\u2019ti.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/education-minister-assures-education-budget-unaffected-by-free-nutritious-meals-programme-1774068672",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}