Free meals distribution adjusted to school schedules: BGN chief

He made the statement in response to a discourse on reducing MBG distribution for schoolchildren from six to five days a week, a move projected to save up to Rp40 trillion (more than US$2.3 billion) of the state budget annually.

“MBG will only be distributed to schoolchildren when they are on campus. Those with a five-day schedule will receive free meals five times, while those attending six days will be supplied six times,” Hindayana said in a short message received in Jakarta on Friday.

The BGN chief added that data shows most recipient schools follow a five-day schedule. He also noted that distribution schemes are tailored to each group of beneficiaries.

“We deliver ready-to-eat meals to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and under-five children through local health posts or door-to-door, while schoolchildren receive MBG on their campuses,” he explained.

Hindayana said a similar approach applies to students of Islamic boarding schools.

“MBG will not be distributed during school days off,” he added.

He emphasized that the agency has designated 2026 as a year to focus on improving the quality and effectiveness of the national priority program, as instructed by President Prabowo Subianto.

Earlier, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa pointed out that Indonesia could save up to Rp40 trillion annually through efficiency measures for the MBG program, proposed as part of the government’s deliberations to shield the nation from economic pressures stemming from souring geopolitics.

“The BGN has proposed reducing MBG distribution to five days from the usual six per week to generate significant savings,” he said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti, Tegar Nurfitra