Eyes on education bill as free meals may seek funding lifeline
The revision to the education system law could pave the way for the multitrillion-rupiah free nutritious meal program to once again be financed through the education budget, teachers groups have warned, potentially reversing a court decision ruling out free meals as an education expense.
The Indonesian Teachers Association (P2G) has expressed concerns over a proposed revision to the National Education System (Sisdiknas) Law, which could potentially allow for the government-backed free nutritious meal program to be financed through the education budget again. Initially ruled out by Indonesia's Constitutional Court due to its classification as a health service rather than education, the program faced funding challenges as nearly one-third of the education budget was allocated to it this year.
The draft bill, initiated by the House of Representatives and currently under deliberation, includes vague provisions that could apply health services, including mental health, to educational institutions as integral to national education goals. The P2G's national coordinator, Satriwan Salim, expressed fear that this could translate into implementing health policies within educational institutions, effectively making the free meals program a core component of education.
They warned about potential misinterpretations and implications should the bill pass without substantial public involvement, as the program was previously dismissed by the court due to its classification as a health expenditure rather than an education expense.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
