BGN Nabire Uses School Orientation to Socialise Free Nutritious Meal Programme
Nabire (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) in Nabire is utilising the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) to socialise the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) to new pupils and parents as preparation for expanding services in the 2026/2027 academic year.
Marsel Asyerem, Regional Coordinator of BGN Nabire, speaking in Nabire, Central Papua, on Monday, said the socialisation was carried out because some schools targeted by the MBG were still conducting MPLS, so nutritious meal services had not yet been provided.
“We are using the MPLS period to socialise the MBG to new pupils and their parents so that they understand the benefits of this programme and give their approval,” he said.
He explained that parental consent is one of the requirements before students can receive benefits under the MBG Programme.
According to him, on the first day of implementation after the school holidays, only five of the 14 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in Nabire had resumed MBG services at six schools, from kindergarten level through to senior high school.
The five SPPG are Kalibobo, Sriwini 2, Sriwini 3, Gerimulyo, and Yaro, while the other nine SPPG will begin operating after the MPLS at target schools has been completed.
In addition to socialisation, the agency is also awaiting updated student data from schools, as the number of pupils is expected to increase following the intake of new students.
“There is a school that previously had around 500 pupils, and now the number has grown to around 800. However, we need pupil data by name and address before services can be delivered,” he said.
He estimated that all SPPG in Nabire could fully resume MBG services next week, once schools complete the MPLS and submit student data.
He added that over the past week, all SPPG have carried out various operational preparations, from staff training on standard operating procedures (SOP), kitchen cleaning, to ensuring all facilities are ready for use.