DPR Deputy Chair Urges Large Islamic Boarding Schools to Manage Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens

The Deputy Chair of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Abdul Wachid, is encouraging Islamic boarding schools (ponpes) that house between two to three thousand students to possess and manage kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme or Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). He believes this move could significantly empower these boarding schools.

“Regarding the MBG, boarding schools with up to three thousand students will be given priority to have their own kitchens. We request that the MBG programme for students, especially in madrasahs and boarding school environments, be properly documented,” stated Abdul during a working visit to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) for Central Java Province in Semarang on Wednesday (24/06/2026).

Speaking after presiding over a meeting, Abdul noted that each SPPG currently typically serves up to three thousand beneficiaries under the Free Nutritious Meal programme. “Therefore, if a boarding school has 2,500 or 3,000 students, the school can upgrade its existing kitchens into better facilities, thereby providing added value and benefits to the institution,” he added.