Minister: Free Nutritious Meals Programme to Target Only Students in Need

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) is currently drafting various policy scenarios regarding the management of school canteens and other services to be integrated with the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, stated that no final decision has been made regarding the technical mechanism on the ground. His ministry is still conducting intensive coordination and in-depth studies with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). “There is no decision yet. We last met with BGN at the office and are still drafting various policy scenarios so that the MBG can run as well as possible,” he explained. According to him, the policy must undergo thorough assessment. Although the technical mechanism for canteens has not been finalised, the Minister revealed one important point agreed upon during the ministerial-level meeting. He stated that the MBG programme will not be distributed generally to all students, but will instead target the right recipients. “The recipients of these free nutritious meals will not be everyone, but those who truly need them. However, the mechanism for this is also being drafted so that the policy can be implemented,” he clarified. He noted that the main philosophy of the programme championed by the President is to build a generation that is physically healthy and free from stunting. Therefore, the principles of fairness and accurate targeting are the top priorities. Furthermore, Kemendikdasmen views the MBG programme as more than just fulfilling nutritional needs or a communal eating activity at school. The ministry is committed to making this momentum an instrument for strengthening student character. The ministry has also published a special guidebook that combines the healthy eating programme with the character curriculum. “This free nutritious meal is not just about eating, but also part of strengthening character education in schools,” he said. Consequently, his ministry has issued various guidelines on how character education is integrated with nutritious eating. He added that this activity is also part of the ‘7 Habits’ movement, with one of its main points being to cultivate a culture of healthy and nutritious eating among the younger generation. Although Kemendikdasmen acts as the institution overseeing the largest number of beneficiaries, the Minister stressed that the final decision regarding overarching regulations and policies remains under the control of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) as the leading sector. “We will certainly continue to coordinate, but the overarching policies will be delivered by the National Nutrition Agency as the institution that has the authority to organise this,” he concluded.