Education Minister Assures Education Budget Unaffected by Free Nutritious Meals Programme
The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu’ti, has affirmed that the education budget will not be reduced, even as the government implements the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, which is currently being challenged at the Constitutional Court.
Minister Mu’ti stated that national budget policies must be viewed holistically. According to him, education remains a priority, but the government also has a responsibility to meet other basic needs of society, such as health, nutrition, and the economy.
Even though the education budget is being utilised for MBG, he emphasised that the government’s commitment to the education sector has not diminished. “Indonesia’s affairs are not just about schools. There is health, nutrition, the economy. So not everything has to go towards building schools,” said Mu’ti when met at his residence in Pondok Cabe, South Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
He explained that educational development cannot be achieved simultaneously in a short time. Improvements to infrastructure, enhancements in teacher quality, and transformations in the learning system require a gradual process.
In 2026, the government has allocated approximately Rp16.9 trillion for the revitalisation of 16,167 educational units. President Prabowo Subianto is said to have increased the target to 60,000 educational units to be revitalised gradually.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has also proposed a budget of Rp181 trillion to the House of Representatives (DPR). This budget will support various priority programmes, from school revitalisation and learning digitalisation to the development of integrated schools and teacher training and competency enhancement.
Mu’ti also highlighted the importance of digitalisation in education. The government is promoting the use of modern learning devices such as Interactive Flat Panels (IFP) or smart whiteboards in schools. According to him, this step can increase student engagement and learning enthusiasm, although the results cannot be felt instantly.
He affirmed that the MBG programme and educational development are not mutually conflicting. Both are designed to run in tandem as part of efforts to improve the quality of human resources. “Everything is progressing, but gradually. It can’t be done as quickly as turning the palm of the hand,” said Mu’ti.