At MK, DPR States Education Funds for MBG is a Logical Consequence

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of DPR RI Commission III, I Wayan Sudirta, holds the view that allocating the education budget for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is a logical consequence because the MBG recipients are school students.

“Budgeting funding for the nutritious meals programme within the education budget allocation is a logical consequence. Considering that one of the main beneficiaries is students as a component of the national education system,” said Wayan Sudirta representing the DPR in the Constitutional Court session on Tuesday (14/4/2026).

This view was expressed by Wayan Sudirta in reading the official statement of the DPR during the material examination session at the Constitutional Court (MK) regarding Law No. 17 of 2025 on the 2026 State Budget (APBN) and Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System (Sisdiknas).

Wayan Sudirta stated that fulfilling the right to education does not only encompass providing learning services but also includes meeting basic conditions that enable students to participate in the learning process maximally.

“From the perspective of the national education system, fulfilling the physical and health conditions of students has a direct connection to the national education goals of enlightening the nation’s life,” he explained.

According to the DPR RI, the allocation of funding for the nutritious meals programme is placed as part of the education function, namely within the sub-function of educational assistance services along with other programmes such as compulsory education, LPDP, and improving learning quality.

“This means the nutritious meals programme is a sub-component of the education financing ecosystem, not diverting or reducing mandatory spending,” said Wayan.

“The management of funding for the nutritious meals programme in the 2026 fiscal year budget is not only valid in terms of authority and procedure but also substantively appropriate in supporting the objectives of national education implementation,” he added.