Witness tells Constitutional Court free nutritious meal programme boosts student concentration and attendance

A witness presented by the government during a judicial review of Law Number 17 of 2025 concerning the 2026 State Budget at the Constitutional Court (MK) stated that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme has improved students’ concentration, enthusiasm for learning, and school attendance. “The MBG programme provides real benefits for our students. Firstly, this MBG programme increases the children’s concentration and enthusiasm for learning,” said Nur Azizah, Head of TK Kartika Nawa Kindergarten in Malang, East Java, during the MK Plenary Session attended online from Jakarta on Wednesday. According to Nur Azizah, before the MBG programme was implemented, some students were often reluctant to come to school. However, after the programme was introduced, student attendance rates increased. “Previously, the children were lazy about going to school, now they are diligent,” she said. She explained that the MBG programme has also boosted students’ enthusiasm for participating in teaching and learning activities because many children previously arrived at school without breakfast or did not bring packed meals from home. Additionally, the varied MBG menu, which includes items like milk and fruit, makes students more excited about learning. Nur Azizah added that the implementation of MBG at TK Kartika Nawa since December 2025 has not impacted the welfare of teaching staff or school operations. According to her, teachers’ salaries are still sourced from education fees planned within the school budget and continue to be adjusted annually. She also confirmed that the distribution of MBG does not disrupt the teaching and learning process as it has been arranged through a duty teacher system. Furthermore, the maintenance and renovation of school facilities and infrastructure continue according to established needs and planning. Nur Azizah affirmed that all her statements in the trial were delivered based on her experience and observations as a school principal. “I convey this with full awareness, without any pressure or coercion from any party,” she said. Nur Azizah was one of three witnesses presented by the government in the material review hearing of the 2026 State Budget Law related to Case Number 40/PUU-XXIV/2026, Number 52/PUU-XXIV/2026, and Number 55/PUU-XXIV/2026, which question the placement of the MBG programme within the education budget.