Purbaya Assures MBG Programme Will Not Cut Education Budget
Jakarta, VIVA – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa assured that the education expenditure budget remains safe and will not be reduced amid the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
‘The education budget remains safe,’ Purbaya said at a press conference at the Ministry of Finance, Jakarta, Friday, 6 March 2026.
He emphasised that the MBG programme already has its own budget allocation, which does not disrupt routine education programme spending. Meanwhile, the budget ceiling for education in the APBN is also guaranteed to be allocated at 20 percent, as mandated by law.
‘MBG budget is only to buy food, but it is not included in education or education is not cut,’ he said.
It is understood that previously the government had asserted that the education budget for 2026, agreed with the DPR and the Budget Agency of the DPR, would not be reduced because of the MBG programme.
Secretary to the Cabinet, Teddy Indra Wijaya, confirmed that all strategic education programmes such as the Kartu Indonesia Pintar and Program Indonesia Pintar remain in operation, accompanied by strengthening access through Sekolah Rakyat and the renovation of around 16,000 schools in 2025 with a budget of Rp 17 trillion.
He also noted that the government increased teacher incentives to Rp 400,000 and non-ASN teacher allowances from Rp 1,500,000 to Rp 2,000,000 in 2025, as part of strengthening the education sector.
Senior Expert at the Government Communications Office, Hariqo Wibawa Satria, explained that the education budget for 2026 reaches Rp 769.8 trillion. Within it there is a budget allocation component of Rp 223.5 trillion for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to manage the MBG Programme.
He stressed that MBG is an integral part of the education system because nutrition is the foundation for students’ learning. In addition, other education programmes did not suffer budget cuts; some even increased, such as teacher allowances and education assistance.
Hariqo also clarified misinformation about neglected schools due to MBG. This is untrue, as in 2025, 16,000 schools were repaired, and in 2026, the target is to equip 71,000 schools with improved facilities.