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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Zulhas Pushes for Faster MBG Distribution in Religious Schools

From Tempo · (5h ago) Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Minister Zulkifli Hasan highlighted the significant disparity in the distribution of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program between general schools and religious schools.
  • While general schools have reached over 80% MBG coverage, religious schools like Madrasah Aliyah, Tsanawiyah, and Islamic boarding schools are only at 15-20%.
  • The government aims to accelerate MBG distribution to religious schools to ensure equitable access for all students.

Minister of Food Zulkifli Hasan, or Zulhas, has voiced concern over the slow distribution of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program to religious schools in Indonesia. Speaking at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 1 Yogyakarta, Zulhas pointed out a stark contrast: over 80% of general schools have received the program, while religious institutions like Islamic boarding schools lag significantly behind at 15-20%.

I am working hard so that religious-based schools, whether MAN, Tsanawiyah, Islamic boarding schools, can get this MBG faster.

— Zulkifli HasanMinister of Food Zulkifli Hasan speaking at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 1 Yogyakarta about the distribution of the Free Nutritious Meal program.

This disparity is unacceptable, Zulhas stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to fairness. He pledged to expedite the process for religious schools, ensuring they receive the same benefits as their general counterparts. This involves streamlining bureaucratic and logistical hurdles to achieve equitable distribution.

Beyond distribution, Zulhas also inspected the nutritional quality of meals provided at MAN 1 Yogyakarta, finding them to be complete and balanced. The school's principal confirmed that 845 students have benefited since October 2025, with implementation timelines varying based on local readiness.

Therefore, we want to speed it up so that boarding schools, other religious-based schools can get the same rights as general schools.

— Zulkifli HasanMinister of Food Zulkifli Hasan explaining the need for equitable distribution of the MBG program.

The Indonesian government's focus on equitable access to educational programs like MBG underscores its dedication to supporting all students, regardless of their school type. This initiative reflects a broader effort to ensure no segment of the student population is left behind.

Very good, there are eggs, crackers, fried rice, fruit, vegetables. So fiber, protein, carbohydrates are complete.

— Zulkifli HasanMinister of Food Zulkifli Hasan commenting on the nutritional quality of the MBG meals at MAN 1 Yogyakarta.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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