Minister of Basic Education: Free Nutritious Meals Programme is an Investment in Indonesia's Future
Medan (ANTARA) - Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu'ti has stated that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is an investment in Indonesia's future.
"The strong generation of Golden Indonesia 2045 are those currently still studying in kindergarten, primary school, junior secondary school and senior secondary school, as well as children still in the womb or pregnant mothers," said Abdul Mu'ti, accompanied by North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya, following the inauguration of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) at Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU) at UMSU Campus IV, Percut Seituan, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Monday.
The Minister said that numerous studies have shown that human development is largely determined by three stages.
The first stage is the period in the womb. The second is the golden age, from birth to five years old. The third is the subsequent period of growth and development.
"These are the critical periods. This is where nutrition is needed. When the MBG programme targets breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women, the golden age falls within that period. This is an extraordinary investment," said Abdul Mu'ti.
North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya called on all relevant parties to expand the free nutritious meals service to reach toddlers and pregnant women.
According to Surya, the quality of a region 10 to 20 years from now is not determined by what is built today.
"Rather, it is determined by how our children grow. Today, a healthy child will learn better, a well-nourished child will think more strongly, and a strong generation will build a strong nation. This is the essence of the MBG programme," he said.
Surya also called on all parties to collectively undertake three things: firstly, to use local food ingredients so that the economic benefits return to the community.
Secondly, he continued, to maintain food quality so that children are not merely full but also healthy. Thirdly, to conduct open and continuous joint monitoring, and finally to accelerate the construction of SPPG facilities across the whole of North Sumatra.
This is because, Surya said, the MBG programme is aligned with the direction of regional development, namely the Sumut Berkah collaboration towards a superior, advanced and sustainable North Sumatra.
"Excellence is not merely about infrastructure, nor is it solely about the economy. Therefore, the nutrition fulfilment programme is an investment in the development of education, health and the economy," said Surya.
"The strong generation of Golden Indonesia 2045 are those currently still studying in kindergarten, primary school, junior secondary school and senior secondary school, as well as children still in the womb or pregnant mothers," said Abdul Mu'ti, accompanied by North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya, following the inauguration of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) at Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU) at UMSU Campus IV, Percut Seituan, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Monday.
The Minister said that numerous studies have shown that human development is largely determined by three stages.
The first stage is the period in the womb. The second is the golden age, from birth to five years old. The third is the subsequent period of growth and development.
"These are the critical periods. This is where nutrition is needed. When the MBG programme targets breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women, the golden age falls within that period. This is an extraordinary investment," said Abdul Mu'ti.
North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya called on all relevant parties to expand the free nutritious meals service to reach toddlers and pregnant women.
According to Surya, the quality of a region 10 to 20 years from now is not determined by what is built today.
"Rather, it is determined by how our children grow. Today, a healthy child will learn better, a well-nourished child will think more strongly, and a strong generation will build a strong nation. This is the essence of the MBG programme," he said.
Surya also called on all parties to collectively undertake three things: firstly, to use local food ingredients so that the economic benefits return to the community.
Secondly, he continued, to maintain food quality so that children are not merely full but also healthy. Thirdly, to conduct open and continuous joint monitoring, and finally to accelerate the construction of SPPG facilities across the whole of North Sumatra.
This is because, Surya said, the MBG programme is aligned with the direction of regional development, namely the Sumut Berkah collaboration towards a superior, advanced and sustainable North Sumatra.
"Excellence is not merely about infrastructure, nor is it solely about the economy. Therefore, the nutrition fulfilment programme is an investment in the development of education, health and the economy," said Surya.