Indonesia Rejects 1,653 Schools for MBG Funding, Majority International Private Schools

Indonesia's Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) has announced the exclusion of 1,653 schools from the MBG (Mal Pelayanan Publik) program. This decision significantly impacts schools, particularly those adhering to international standards, raising concerns about the program's selection criteria and operational methods. The MBG program aims to streamline the provision of educational services and improve quality. However, the fact that the majority of excluded schools are private institutions has brought into question the fairness and transparency of the selection process. While the Ministry of Education has not provided specific reasons for the exclusion, there may be a need to review the program's objectives and criteria to ensure broader access to educational opportunities for a wider range of institutions. This measure might highlight larger issues within Indonesia's education system, such as educational disparities and the alignment between international and domestic educational standards. The Ministry's future actions and the reactions from affected schools and parents are anticipated.