Cabinet Secretary Teddy: 16,000 Schools Renovated Throughout 2025, Budget of Rp17 Trillion

Jakarta – Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya has dismissed claims that the free nutritious meal programme (MBG) is reducing education spending, causing schools across Indonesia to fall into disrepair and neglect.

He explained that the problem of deteriorating or damaged schools has existed for a long time and falls under the authority of local governments (pemda).

“Yes, this is a long-standing issue. Schools are damaged, some schools are in poor condition. And you must remember, schools fall under the authority of local governments. That is how the regulations work. Senior secondary schools are under the authority of governors, while primary and junior secondary schools are under the authority of regents and mayors,” Teddy told journalists at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Friday, 27 February 2026.

However, Teddy revealed that approximately 16,000 schools have been renovated throughout 2025. He stated that the renovation was carried out by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) with a total budget reaching Rp17 trillion.

“But, during President Prabowo’s administration, because these problems existed long ago but were not addressed, we are renovating them. In fact, in 2025 alone, approximately 16,000 schools have been renovated,” Teddy said.

“We have the data and photographs – you can check. With a total budget of approximately 17 trillion rupiah, managed by Kemendikdasmen,” he added.

Beyond this, the government has also provided digital televisions to support children’s learning in schools. Teddy stated that 280,000 digital televisions have been distributed to 280,000 schools throughout 2025.

“Additionally, what else is there? There are digital televisions for digital learning in schools for children. By 2025, we have already distributed 280,000 televisions to 280,000 schools,” he said.

Furthermore, the government is also building Garuda schools and planning to construct new campuses for the public.

“And this year will be further increased. Not to mention the upcoming Garuda schools, integrated schools, and construction of new campuses that the President wants to establish, which are currently underway,” Teddy said.

“So I want to convey that no programme has been discontinued. All programmes are running and are even being expanded,” he added.