Indonesia will temporarily suspend its government-funded free meals programme for children during school holidays and reduce the programme’s coverage as part of efforts to ease pressure on the national budget, an official said.
The National Nutrition Agency announced that the programme will stop from June 22 to July 13 and will no longer continue during future school breaks. Previously, meals were also provided during holidays.
The agency’s deputy head, Agustina Arumsari, said funding for about 39,000 students across 76 schools in areas considered economically capable will be stopped. Resources will instead be redirected to children in more remote and vulnerable regions.
Officials said the changes are part of a restructuring and efficiency plan following concerns over programme management. The agency also promised stronger oversight after its former head was removed amid allegations of corruption connected to the initiative.
The government has already reduced this year’s budget for the programme from 335 trillion rupiah to 268 trillion rupiah ($15.1 billion). The agency is also considering further cuts next year from an initial proposed budget of 270 trillion rupiah.
“We believe the figure is too large. With the budget available, we can reduce costs and make the programme more efficient,” Arumsari said.
The agency added that it would cut incentives for meal kitchens that stop operating during school holidays, a move expected to save around 3.4 trillion rupiah.
Further adjustments may follow, including closing kitchens that serve too few recipients or fail to meet required standards, officials said.
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