Student Writes to Prabowo, Requests MBG Allowance Be Redirected to Teachers

A vocational high school (SMK) student in Kudus, Central Java, has sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto with an unusual request. He asks that his free nutritious meal (MBG) allocation be redirected to provide additional welfare for his teachers.

Muhammad Rafif Arsya Maulidi, an 11th-grade student at SMK NU Miftahul Falah Kudus, stated that he refuses to receive the MBG benefits for himself. He hopes that the budget allocation can be used to assist teachers whom he considers not yet prosperous.

“If possible, the funds that should be allocated for me could be redirected as additional allowances for my teachers,” said Rafif, when confirmed on Thursday night, 2 April 2026.

Rafif explained that he comes from a simple family. His father works as a labourer, while his mother is a housewife. In the letter, he emphasised that his parents have educated him to respect those who have contributed to his life. For him, besides his parents, teachers play a significant role in shaping him.

He admitted to feeling concerned upon directly observing the conditions of some teachers today. Especially the teachers at his school who continue to teach with dedication, even though their welfare is not yet adequate.

According to his simple calculation, the value of the MBG benefits he would receive until graduation is around Rp 6.75 million. “Currently, I still have about one and a half years of schooling at SMK. If calculated simply, (18 months x 25 days x Rp 15,000 = Rp 6,750,000),” he said.

According to him, that amount may not have a big impact on him, but it could serve as a form of appreciation for teachers.

In addition to conveying his personal aspiration, Rafif also invites other students to voice the importance of teacher welfare as part of educational progress. “This letter is not a rejection of the government, but rather an expression of a student’s concern for teacher welfare,” he said.

He hopes that this proposal can be considered in future education policies.

Tempo has attempted to seek responses from the Minister Secretary of State Prasetyo Hadi and the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana regarding Rafif’s letter. However, as of this writing, neither has provided a response.