Government decides to provide free nutritious meals only on school days

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has decided to provide Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) only on days when pupils attend school, and not on holidays. This follows an inter-ministerial evaluation presented during a limited coordination meeting at the Ministry of Coordinating for Food Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday. “For improvements and effectiveness of implementation, previously (MBG was given for) 6 days, including holidays. But that turned out to be less effective. Therefore, we have decided that MBG will be given on school days, (pupils) come for 5 days. If it’s Eid holiday, giving MBG is also not effective. So, on holidays, there will be no more (MBG distribution to pupils), only on school days,” said the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan. Based on the Guidelines for the Management of the MBG Programme During School Holidays, established through the Decision of the Head of the National Nutrition Agency Number 52.1 of 2025, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) ensures that the MBG distribution flow continues even when schools enter semester holidays, where Group 3B consisting of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers will still receive MBG six days a week without being affected by the school holiday calendar. Meanwhile, pupils and students at Islamic boarding schools will receive MBG packages according to the school holiday mechanism at schools or pesantrens that are willing to attend for distribution. Furthermore, the Coordinating Minister for Food said the government is also paying more attention to MBG distribution in 3T (Underdeveloped, Frontier, Outermost) areas and regions with high child stunting rates. According to the man familiarly called Zulhas, MBG distribution must be adapted to conditions in those areas, from the quality of the food menu to the amount given to beneficiaries. “But for 3T and those with very high stunting, there will certainly be special handling. Besides the 5 school days, if needed, it can be added one more day, because (the stunting rate) is high, or they live in underdeveloped areas, poverty is also high, and so on. That is special treatment,” said Zulhas. Meanwhile, he said that so far the progress of MBG provision for toddlers, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers has not changed at all because it is considered to be running well. “It needs to be perfected now, yes. But (MBG for) pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and toddlers is very important, because that will determine the future of our children which will ultimately determine Indonesia’s future. (So far) There has been no change at all,” said the Coordinating Minister for Food.