Jakarta, March 5 -- The government has emphasized that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program does not reduce the education budget, responding to public narratives suggesting the program absorbs a large portion of the budget for education and health.

Expert staff at the Government Communication Office Hariqo Wibawa Satria explained in a podcast with ANTARA here on Thursday that the education budget in 2026 reaches Rp769.8 trillion (around US$45.58 billion).

The allocation includes Rp223.5 trillion (US$13.23 billion) for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to manage the MBG program.

"Nutrition is the foundation of learning. The MBG program does not reduce the education sector but ensures that the large education budget is not wasted be...