NasDem Party member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives,\nIrma Chaniago, agrees with the Head of the National Nutrition Agency\n(BGN), Sudaryono, regarding the regulation that all guardians in public\nschools must agree to either accept or reject the Free Nutritious Meal\n(MBG) programme. Irma believes that the provision of MBG cannot be\nimplemented partially.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt certainly must be that way; it cannot be done partially,\u201d said\nIrma when contacted on Friday (18\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
Irma suggested that schools should focus on supervising the\nimplementation of the MBG programme rather than rejecting it. She\nrequested that teachers inspect the food before it is distributed to\nstudents.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere must be a commitment from the teachers receiving the MBG so\nthat if any food is spoiled, it can be immediately returned to the SPPG\nand compensation can be requested. Therefore, before distribution,\nteachers should participate in checking the distributed food. Do not\nimmediately upload [complaints] to social media unless the SPPG fails to\ntake responsibility,\u201d said Irma.<\/p>\n
Irma emphasised that this initial inspection step is crucial to help\nprevent food poisoning cases in schools. \u201cBy checking first before it is\ndistributed to the children, teachers will have helped reduce the risk\nof poisoning,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Statement from the Head of BGN<\/p>\n
The Head of BGN, Sudaryorkan, explained the provisions if a public\nschool wishes to reject the MBG programme. Sudaryono stated that every\npublic school must speak with one voice regarding whether to accept or\nreject the MBG.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor public schools, it must be a unanimous \u2018yes\u2019. If not, then it is\na \u2018no\u2019 for all,\u201d said Sudaryono during a hearing with Commission IX of\nthe House of Representatives in Jakarta on Thursday (17\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
Sudaryono mentioned that this provision is the result of a joint\ndecision between the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the\nCoordinating Ministry for Food Affairs. Therefore, within a single\npublic school, it is not possible for only some students to reject or\naccept the MBG.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, for public schools, according to the results of our meeting\nwith the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the\nCoordinating Ministry for Food, if they accept, they accept all. But if\nthey do not, it applies to all. This is the current provisional\ndecision,\u201d said Sudaryono.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, it is impossible that in one public school, for example, 70 per\ncent are able and 30 per cent are unable, and there is a different\ndecision. The consensus must be reached by the school and all its\nguardians,\u201d he added.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nasdem-agrees-parents-must-unanimously-accept-or-reject-free-nutritious-meal-programme-1789707554", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }