BGN chief: Accurate student data key to targeting free nutritious meals

Jakarta (ANTARA) — National Nutrition Agency (BGN) chief Sudaryono said student data could improve the accuracy of records for beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, helping ensure that distribution reaches the intended recipients.

BGN has therefore introduced a policy requiring provisional beneficiary determinations as part of efforts to ensure that every meal distributed goes to a clearly identified beneficiary whose progress can be monitored.

“BGN will only provide meals in trays to beneficiaries whose data are recorded by name and address,” Sudaryono said while observing MBG distribution at Cot Meuraja State Elementary School in Aceh Besar on Tuesday.

In practice, the number of beneficiaries recorded by some Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPGs) may be adjusted if a school’s student data do not match the records in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s system.

This data-based approach also applies to beneficiaries at integrated health posts (posyandu), madrasahs and Islamic boarding schools. Updating records is therefore important to ensure that the number of beneficiaries registered at each service unit reflects the actual situation.

BGN is urging schools to update student records, including checking that students’ identities and student identification numbers are correct.

Sudaryono stressed that the data-collection policy is intended not only to ensure the right quantity of food is distributed, but also to support monitoring of each beneficiary’s progress.

“The aim is to ensure that the meal tray is received by someone whose name and data are on record, so we can track their progress: whether they grow taller, gain weight, become more diligent, or attend school more regularly. That way, we can see the programme’s impact on students,” BGN chief Sudaryono said.