Islamic Boarding Schools and Dormitory Schools Allowed to Build Their Own SPPG Kitchens, Here Are the Conditions

The government has decided that Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren) and faith-based boarding schools with more than 1,000 students are now permitted to build their own kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. However, these kitchens must meet the standards of the Nutritional Service Unit (SPPG).

The decision was made during a limited coordination meeting (Rakortas) regarding the implementation of the MBG programme, led by Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan along with relevant ministries and agencies.

Zulhas stated that the policy aims to facilitate the distribution of MBG in residential educational institutions with a large number of students. “It has been decided that boarding schools and faith-based schools with over 1,000 students can build their own kitchens, but they must meet SPPG standards. Those with fewer students must join the nearest SPPG. This makes it easier,” Zulhas said during a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Thursday (6/8/2026).

He added, “For example, a boarding school with 2,000 students, where perhaps 2,000 are boarders, they can build a kitchen on-site, but it must meet SPPG standards and also possess a Hygiene and Sanitation Eligibility Certificate (SLHS).”

Meanwhile, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, stated that his agency would inspect the boarding schools that will manage the MBG kitchens. This is to ensure that all processes comply with regulations and to prevent misunderstandings on the ground. “We will also check the boarding schools. We will see how it is. Please, sometimes a small statement can be misunderstood. Because of different understandings, there are individuals who try to peddle services at the grassroots level. I assure you, if anyone claims they can help, I guarantee they are lying. Everything is done by system and with full transparency,” Sudaryono said on the same occasion.