Indonesia has reduced funding for its Free Nutritious Meals programme, known locally as Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), from Rp335 trillion to Rp268 trillion in 2026, prompting changes in how the programme is delivered across schools.
One of the most immediate impacts is a reduction in meal distribution frequency for schoolchildren, which will now take place five days a week instead of six.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana confirmed that the adjustment is part of broader cost-saving measures introduced in response to global economic pressures and directives from President Prabowo Subianto.
“Since the global crisis, especially the turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz, we have consolidated operations in line with the President’s instructions by implementing efficiency measures,” Dadan said, as reported Friday.
Despite the nationwide adjustment, the reduced schedule will not apply uniformly. Schools that still operate six-day study weeks will continue receiving six-day meal distributions. Exceptions also apply to schools in disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost regions, commonly referred to as 3T areas, as well as regions with high stunting prevalence.
“School meal services, which previously ran six days a week, will now be reduced to five days, except for schools operating six-day schedules and those in 3T areas or regions with high stunting rates,” Dadan said.
The programme will also be adjusted during school holidays. During these periods, meal distribution will be limited to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five.
“During school holidays, services will only be provided to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers,” he added.
The budget revision follows earlier remarks by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who said the government is seeking to improve efficiency and ensure more targeted spending within the programme.
He said fiscal adjustments are aimed at strengthening governance and preventing wasteful expenditure.
“Certain savings are being implemented in line with presidential directives so that BGN funds can be used more efficiently. Further efficiency measures will follow,” Purbaya said, as quoted by local media.
Purbaya stressed that the government remains committed to maintaining the programme’s effectiveness in providing school meals nationwide.
“The President is improving MBG management and how the funds are spent. It is not immune to evaluation,” he said.
He also assured that cost reductions would not compromise nutritional quality or the programme’s overall reach.
“The best savings are those that do not reduce the effectiveness of the programme in feeding schoolchildren,” he added.
However, the budget cuts have drawn criticism from education advocacy groups. The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) called on the government to stop diverting education-related funds to finance the programme and instead prioritise pressing issues in the education sector.
“If cuts are made, they should come from other areas. Education budgets should be used to repair damaged schools,” said JPPI national coordinator Ubaid Matraji, as quoted by local media.
He argued that education funding should focus on improving teacher welfare and reducing school dropout rates.
“Use it for teachers whose welfare remains poor. Use it for children who are not in school,” he said.
Despite fiscal tightening, the government maintains that the MBG programme will continue operating at scale. By the end of April 2026, total realised spending reached Rp75 trillion, or around 22.4% of the initial Rp335 trillion budget, reaching 61.96 million beneficiaries and supported by 27,952 MBG kitchens across the country.
Officials say the programme remains one of the government’s flagship social initiatives, even as it undergoes structural and fiscal adjustments aimed at improving efficiency and targeting.
