Teacher testifies to Constitutional Court about negative domino effect of 'Free Nutritious Meal' program on educators

A history teacher testified at Indonesia's Constitutional Court, presenting evidence of the negative consequences of the government's "Free Nutritious Meal" (MBG) program on educators. Iman Zanatul Haeri, a teacher from Madrasah Aliyah Al-Tsaqafah and head of advocacy for the Education and Teacher Association (P2G), shared accounts of teachers' struggles and fears.

Haeri stated that many teachers were hesitant to testify due to fear of structural intimidation from school principals, supervisors, and education officials. He detailed how the MBG program, funded through the 2026 State Budget, has allegedly led to the mass termination of civil servant contract teachers (PPPK) who were previously considered well-compensated. Additionally, part-time PPPK teachers reportedly receive lower salaries than their previous status as contract workers.

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After the MBG 2026, there was a mass termination of PPPK teachers who were considered prosperous, they were fired, as well as contract teachers. Contract teachers who have been appointed as part-time PPPK also have salaries below the contract teacher salary.

The teacher also highlighted that some contract teachers have been laid off, while others were retained only if they chose between receiving salaries from school operational funds (BOS) or professional allowances (TPG). Private madrasah teachers who were promised PPPK status have also seen their appointments suspended. Haeri cited examples of teachers in Cianjur receiving monthly salaries as low as Rp300,000, and in Sumedang, some were paid Rp50,000 before deductions for social security.

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There was a teacher in Cianjur, West Java, who received a salary of around Rp300,000. Even, he continued, there was a teacher in Sumedang who was paid Rp50,000, before deductions for BPJS.