Indonesia Faces Constitutional Concerns as Free Meals Program Consumes Significant Education Funding
Jakarta, August 18, 2025 – A considerable allocation of Indonesia’s education budget to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is drawing criticism from education advocates, who argue it undermines a recent constitutional Court ruling mandating free schools. Nearly 44.2 percent of the education budget has been diverted to the MBG program, according to Ubaid Matraji, National Coordinator of the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI).
The controversy centers on whether the government is prioritizing a popular new initiative over fulfilling a constitutional obligation. The Constitutional Court affirmed the right to free education through two decisions: case No. 3/PUU-XXII/2024 on May 27, and decision No.111/PUU-XXIII/2025 on August 15, 2025. These rulings reinforce Article 31 of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to education and obligates the government to finance basic education.
“this clearly violates the constitution,” Ubaid stated in a writen statement.”Our constitution never mandates free meals.”
The MBG program,allocating Rp335 trillion,aims to address stunting and improve human resource quality. While lauded as a strategic step,its implementation faces challenges. Adhitya Wardhono, an economics lecturer at the University of Jember, emphasized the need for strict oversight to ensure effective distribution, food quality, and support for local economies and MSMEs.
The debate highlights a tension between addressing immediate nutritional needs and upholding long-standing constitutional rights within Indonesia’s education system.
Dede Leni Mardianti, Andi Adam Faturahman, and Muhammad Nafis Wirasaputra contributed to this report.
