BGN States MBG Scheme for Online Learning Has Not Yet Been Discussed

JAKARTA - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reports that to date, it has not prepared or discussed technical guidelines (juknis) regarding the distribution of MBG in conditions of distance or online learning. This also addresses the content that was circulating widely on social media previously. In that content, students participating in online learning were narrated as being forced to come to school to receive the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG), which is confirmed to be untrue or a hoax. “To date, the government itself has not decided on the policy for online learning for schoolchildren,” said the Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Operational Nutrition Fulfilment, Sony Sonjaya, in an official statement, Thursday (26/3/2026). Sony also urged the public not to easily believe information whose source is unclear, especially that circulating on social media. According to him, every official policy related to MBG will be conveyed directly by BGN through credible communication channels. Furthermore, Sony stated that BGN is committed to ensuring the programme’s implementation runs according to standards, both in terms of nutritional quality and distribution governance, so that the benefits are truly felt by students throughout Indonesia. “If there is a new policy in the future, including in online learning situations, it will of course be thoroughly reviewed and announced officially,” he concluded. The Free Nutritious Meals Programme will resume operations on 31 March,” said Dadan, at the Attorney General’s Office building, Jakarta, Tuesday (17/3/2026). He said the temporary suspension was carried out to adjust to the Eid al-Fitr holidays. Distribution to school students has been halted since 13 March 2026, while for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers it ends on 17 March 2026. During this suspension period, the government also conducted evaluations and strengthened the programme’s monitoring system. According to Dadan, this step is also part of efforts to achieve budget efficiency. He claimed that the temporary suspension of the MBG programme during Eid could save the budget by around Rp 5 trillion.