Minister Reveals UI Research Shows Positive Impact of Free Nutritious Meals Programme

Primary and Secondary Education Minister (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu’ti has said the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is part of strengthening character education. MBG is included in the ‘7 Great Indonesian Habits’.

‘Then, regarding the MBG (Free Nutritious Meals), we emphasise that this MBG is part of our programme, namely the ’7 Great Indonesian Habits’: waking up early, praying, exercising, eating healthy and nutritious food, enjoying learning, socialising, and sleeping early,’ Mu’ti told reporters at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (11/6/2026).

Mu’ti said his ministry has already published the character education module. He then revealed research from the University of Indonesia (UI) and other institutions showing the positive impact of MBG on students.

‘So we are making MBG part of strengthening character education; we have published the modules, and there has been research from UI and other institutions showing the positive impact of MBG on increasing learning motivation, school attendance, and academic achievement,’ he said.

Mu’ti also reported that MBG is now received by 80.7 per cent of the total 53 million students. According to him, the students want MBG to continue.

‘And therefore, we also report that as of 10 June, 80.7 per cent of students have received MBG. So, out of over 53 million students, over 43 million have received MBG,’ he said.

‘They stated that MBG should continue because the impact is very positive, both in relation to school attendance levels and in relation to learning motivation and academic achievement,’ continued Mu’ti.