BGN Reveals Data Overlaps in Free Nutritious Meal Programme, One School Served by Two Kitchens

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has acknowledged that the beneficiary data for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme requires improvement. The agency reported finding a case where one school was served by two different kitchens, or SPPG.

This was conveyed by BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari during a press conference at the BGN Office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (21/7/2026). She stated that the BGN will make adjustments based on scientific studies and data to reduce targets and budgets.

“For example, we found one school that was apparently served by two different SPPGs. When this data was cross-referenced with the Dapodik data, we discovered discrepancies that we are still currently investigating,” Agustina said.

Findings such as these are one of the reasons why the data validation process needs to be conducted thoroughly. Once all data is completely clean and integrated, budget planning will also become more accurate.

Agustina admitted that the existing system is not yet fully integrated. Therefore, the BGN intends to improve the system so that information can be accessed directly.

“One of the things we will push for is the integration between the Dapodik data and the MBG system, so that the number of child beneficiaries, which schools are receiving MBG, the distribution of beneficiaries, and programme implementation monitoring can be known in real-time,” she explained.

According to her, accurate data is very important to provide certainty, transparency, and accountability in programme implementation. She mentioned that one important point from the evaluation results is the need to open a wider space for transparency to the public through clearly monitorable data.

“I think this is a very important matter and will be one of the main focuses of our work,” she stressed.