Teachers Complain About Free Nutritious Meal Program's Impact on Welfare and Funding

The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) has become a focal point of concern during a judicial review hearing at Indonesia's Constitutional Court (MK), with teachers and education organizations voicing grievances about its impact on teacher welfare and education budgets. Witnesses presented evidence suggesting the program has exacerbated existing problems and created new ones for educators.

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With this, it is very clear that there has been a reduction in the education budget which has directly impacted me.

Iman Zanatul Khairi, a history teacher and advocacy head for the Education and Teacher Association (P2G), testified about numerous complaints from teachers across various regions following the MBG's implementation in 2026. He stated that while teacher welfare issues predated the MBG, the program's funding requirements have worsened the situation. Specifically, he cited delays in the payment of professional allowances for madrasah teachers, attributed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to a lack of allocated funds.

Khairi detailed how the P2G has received many reports on the detrimental effects of education policies on educators. He highlighted the increasing visibility of "teacher castes" following the introduction of part-time government contract positions (PPPK). Contrary to expectations that these roles would improve livelihoods, many part-time PPPK teachers reportedly receive meager incomes. Cases cited include teachers in North Sumatra and Blitar receiving around Rp 500,000 monthly, and one instance in Sumedang where a teacher allegedly received only Rp 50,000 after deductions, including for BPJS health insurance.

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That was still deducted by BPJS, so what was received in their account was Rp 15,000, it couldn't be withdrawn.

Furthermore, reports indicate contract terminations for teachers in several areas. In Tuban, 39 PPPK teachers lost their jobs, with similar mass dismissals reported in Cianjur, East Lombok, and Langkat. Khairi noted that even teachers who had been elevated to part-time PPPK status were earning less than they did as contract teachers, and some were dismissed altogether after the MBG's implementation. The testimonies suggest a significant strain on the education system's resources and a negative impact on the livelihoods of its teaching staff.

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After the MBG in 2026, there was a mass termination of P3K teachers who were considered prosperous, and also contract teachers. Contract teachers who were promoted to part-time PPPK also have salaries below contract teachers.