Bappenas: Early Childhood Development Must Be Our Concern

Holistic and integrated early childhood development must also be a concern for us, and accelerating the handling of out-of-school children is also part of our efforts.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister for National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas), Rachmat Pambudy, stated that holistic and integrated early childhood development must also be a concern.

“Holistic and integrated early childhood development must also be our concern, and accelerating the handling of out-of-school children is also part of our efforts,” he said at the launch of the Indonesian Government and UNICEF Cooperation Programme for the 2026-2030 period at the Bappenas Building, Jakarta, on Monday.

On that occasion, the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) Indonesia-UNICEF was launched to continue the national development agenda in line with long-term and medium-term national development plans.

The main focus of this strategy is improving the quality of life of Indonesians, which must be intervened from the pregnancy period.

These efforts are aimed at creating prosperous, adaptive, morally noble, advanced cultured, superior, and competitive Indonesians who possess physical and mental health.

In its implementation, the responsibility for fulfilling nutrition is managed cross-sectorally, such as by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which is responsible for providing nutrition to various groups of society, including the elderly.

Collaboration is also carried out with UNICEF in compiling a human capital index, so that international partners can assist countries that have obligations to improve the quality of their citizens.

In this development ecosystem, the government adopts the principle that no child should be left behind, while still giving special attention to pregnant women and the elderly to ensure they are always protected and not neglected in the development process. Therefore, the Indonesian government is strengthening human resource development efforts through CPAP.

The Head of Bappenas reminded that providing nutritious food is not enough to ensure optimal growth, but it must go hand in hand with access to quality education and adequate healthcare services.

“These three are the main foundation of our government to ensure optimal education from both physical and mental aspects. Therefore, strengthening the Nationwide Approach scheme through strengthening and expanding forums of Ministries/Institutions (K/L) and regional governments (Pemda) will bring the greatest benefits together with UNICEF,” he said.