Indonesia Expands Free School Meal Program, Plans 100 Integrated Schools

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is stepping up efforts to improve education quality nationwide through expanded student welfare programs and the development of new schools. The initiatives were discussed during a meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

Based on the release received by RRI VOI Sunday, June 14, 2026, Abdul Mu’ti, the government's Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has become an important part of Indonesia's strategy to strengthen character education among students. The program is aligned with the Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children movement, which promotes healthy and nutritious eating as one of its core values.

As of June 10, 2026, around 80.7 percent of Indonesian students had benefited from the meal program. More than 43 million of the country's approximately 53 million students have already received nutritious meals through the initiative.

The minister said public feedback and survey results indicate strong support for the program among students. Many beneficiaries have expressed hopes that the initiative will continue in the coming years due to its positive impact on their daily school experience.

Abdul Mu’ti also highlighted research findings showing that the program contributes to better educational outcomes. Studies, including one conducted by the Social Research Center of the University of Indonesia, found that the initiative has improved learning motivation, school attendance, and academic performance among students.

“Several studies, including research conducted by Labsosio – the Sociology Research Center of the University of Indonesia, show that the Free Nutritious Meals Program has had a positive impact on students’ learning motivation, school attendance, and academic achievement,” Abdul Mu’ti said in a statement at the Merdeka Palace.

Beyond the meal program, the government is also moving forward with plans to establish a network of Integrated National Schools aimed at creating a high-quality education ecosystem. The schools will operate as non-boarding institutions designed to provide integrated educational services based on national excellence standards.

The government plans to build 100 Integrated National Schools across Indonesia, with 36 proposed sites already selected for construction. Five schools are expected to begin operations this year using existing ministry facilities, while one school will be built in the new capital, IKN, and nine additional campuses will be constructed in designated regions.