Cabinet Secretary Teddy Denies Free Nutritious Meal Programme Cuts Education Budget: All Programmes Running, Even Enhanced

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya has rejected the narrative suggesting that the free nutritious meal programme (MBG) is reducing education programmes and funding. He stressed that this narrative is incorrect and does not align with the facts.

“There were some parties yesterday claiming that the free nutritious meal programme reduces education programmes and budget allocations, resulting in neglected schools and inattention to teachers. I want to address this as a mistaken narrative,” Teddy told journalists at the Presidential Palace Complex on Friday, 27 February 2026.

Teddy explained that the MBG programme aims to improve the quality of human resources (SDM), targeting students from early childhood education (PAUD) through senior secondary level (SMA/SMK).

“Furthermore, the education budget has already been agreed upon jointly by the House of Representatives and the government, including the House’s budget body, last year around September, for use in 2026. This includes the contents and allocations of the education budget,” he said.

Teddy stressed that the MBG programme does not cut education programmes or their budgets. In fact, all previous programmes continue to operate and have even been enhanced in accordance with directions from President Prabowo Subianto.

“In reality, there is no strategic education programme from the previous period that is not running now. No programme from the previous period has been halted. All are running, and some have even been expanded,” he concluded.

Teddy cited several education programmes that continue to operate, namely the Smart Indonesia Card (Kartu Indonesia Pintar) and the Smart Indonesia Programme (Program Indonesia Pintar).

Among the programmes enhanced by President Prabowo is the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat).

“The Smart Indonesia Card is running. The Smart Indonesia Programme is running. President Prabowo has even added the People’s School. For what purpose? For children who cannot attend school, have dropped out, or perhaps have never attended school, they are enrolled in the People’s School. They are provided with accommodation, education, nutritious meals, and health guarantees,” Teddy explained.

“Currently, over the past year, nearly 16,000 to 22,000 students have been enrolled across 166 schools. This year, an additional 100 schools will be constructed,” he added.