Malang, East Java, Feb. 12 -- Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Syafi'i, has informed that the number of Islamic boarding schools ( pesantren ) covered by the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is expected to increase following coordination with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

Speaking at Brawijaya University here on Wednesday, he said that 500 pesantren have been registered as MBG recipients so far, and this number will grow in the future.

"I met with the BGN, which has registered around 500 Islamic boarding schools, and they said that they actually need more than that," he added.

He said that the government is currently working to build 30 thousand public kitchens across Indonesia to prepare meal packages for the M...