Government Evaluates Free Nutritious Meals Programme for Elite School Students

The government is evaluating the provision of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) to students in elite schools to ensure the programme is more precisely targeted and reaches the groups in greatest need.

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, stated at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Thursday that this refocusing is being undertaken to improve accuracy in reaching the most vulnerable demographics.

Currently, she continued, the MBG is provided to all school children, regardless of whether the school is classified as low, middle, or high income.

“Yes, that is correct (the restructuring). The intention is to address those who are capable, the wealthy. So, for example, wealthy schools,” she said.

In addition to adjusting the target beneficiaries, she noted that the government is also discussing aspects of efficiency in the implementation of the programme.

However, the details regarding the efficiency measures to be implemented will be discussed further in subsequent meetings.

Previously, Nanik stated that the MB ent MBG programme will be focused on underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions (3T), as well as groups including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers (3B), in accordance with the directives of President Prabowo Subianto.

Consequently, Nanik added, the BGN has issued a circular stating that Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) that do not serve the 3B target groups will be suspended.

As for the development of SPPGs in 3T regions, the BGN will explore several alternative implementation schemes to avoid placing an undue burden on the State Budget (APBN).