Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya refuted claims that the education budget was reduced to fund the Free Nutrition Program (MBG). 

Speaking at the Presidential Palace on Friday (27/2/2026), Teddy labeled the narrative that MBG caused school neglect or decreased teacher welfare as "incorrect." He explained that the constitutionally mandated 20 percent allocation for education from the state budget remains untouched.

"The education budget of Rp 769.1 trillion was mutually agreed upon with the House of Representatives, and there is no unilateral diversion of funds," Secretary Teddy said, as cited by antaranews.com.

He confirmed that strategic programs such as the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) continue, alongside new initiatives like Sekolah Rakyat for underprivileged children. Regarding reports of dilapidated school infrastructure, Secretary Teddy clarified that management is distributed between provincial and municipal administrations, noting that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education renovated 16,000 schools in 2025. 

(mg/inp/pr/rs)