Nutrition Supports Children's School Readiness
Adequate nutrition from morning is a simple habit that supports children’s readiness for school activities. A healthy, balanced breakfast not only enhances focus and motivation but also encourages active participation during lessons.
As part of its commitment to supporting Indonesian children’s development and school readiness, Energen has launched the ‘Balanced Breakfast, Enhanced Learning Focus’ programme in collaboration with Bandung City Education Office. Building on previous efforts at 100 schools, this initiative now extends to 100 public primary schools in Bandung, engaging 100 headteachers, 600 teachers, and students from years 1 to 6, reaching an estimated 58,000 pupils. The initiative is part of the ‘Energen Children, High-Achieving Children’ campaign, aiming to foster more focused, active, and enjoyable learning experiences for primary school students.
The programme includes educational activities for teachers and students. For teachers, a webinar titled ‘Meaningful Gamification to Enhance Student Focus’ addresses the importance of creating in-depth yet interactive and relevant learning methods for today’s primary school pupils. As technology evolves, classroom teaching approaches must innovate. Teachers are equipped to leverage AI and gamification in line with children’s daily lives, helping them stay focused, actively engaged, and better connected to classroom learning.
‘Interactive teaching approaches and educators’ readiness to keep pace with modern developments are interlinked in creating more effective and enjoyable learning experiences,’ said Gelar Riksa Abdillah, M.A. ‘This programme aims to enhance children’s focus through technology and AI, supporting more adaptive and relevant learning processes for current needs.’
Alongside learning method webinars, the programme features a health session by Dr. Daniel Witanto, M.Biomed (AAM), explaining how nutritious morning meals boost children’s focus and school readiness, while highlighting primary school years as a critical growth period.
Following the webinars, teachers conduct in-school education sessions on the importance of morning habits and nutrition for school readiness. This approach aims to help schools foster simple daily habits that support children’s focus and preparedness for learning.
Beyond teachers, the programme actively engages students through a colouring and drawing competition titled ‘Healthy Morning Habits with Energen’. This creative activity helps children understand the importance of starting the day energetically with adequate nutrition in a fun, relatable way. Educational posters on breakfast and healthy lifestyles, aligned with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) programme, are displayed in participating schools.
Rohimat, Headteacher of SDN 245 Sumber Sari, explained that children’s school readiness is crucial for optimal learning experiences. ‘Energen’s nutrition education helps prepare children’s enthusiasm and focus for studying. The collaborative synergy between Energen and schools is essential to raise nutritional awareness among children,’ he said.
Lisnawati, Headteacher of SDN 201 Sukaluyu, welcomed the programme’s arrival. ‘Schools recognise the importance of healthy breakfast habits as they play a key role in shaping positive child behaviour through teachers and peers. Collaboration with Energen is relevant as it involves schools, teachers, parents, and students in supporting nutrition, development, and school readiness through educational, creative, and interactive activities,’ she said.
‘We often discuss deep learning focus, where children don’t just memorise but truly understand lessons. However, in practice, focus isn’t just built in class—it starts in the morning at home, with children’s readiness before school. Therefore, a healthy, balanced breakfast is vital. Energen is here to support collective efforts in cultivating healthy breakfast habits as part of children’s school readiness and achievement, through balanced nutrition,’ said Haruman Rustandi, Marketing Director of Coffee & Health Food at PT Mayora Indah Tbk.
Balanced morning energy intake supports cognitive processes, memory, and children’s focus during learning.
High rates of anaemia due to iron deficiency among Indonesian children remain a challenge for the Golden Generation 2045 initiative.