Probolinggo Regency Requests SPPG to Improve MBG Distribution
Probolinggo, East Java (ANTARA) - The Probolinggo Regency Government in East Java has requested the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) to improve the distribution of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) to prioritise the safety of pupils at SDN Sumberbulu in Probolinggo Regency.
The MBG Task Force in Probolinggo conducted monitoring and evaluation of the ompreng distribution as a follow-up to reports of suboptimal distribution at SDN Sumberbulu, Tegalsiwalan Subdistrict, on Monday.
“Ompreng distribution is the responsibility of the provider, not the pupils. Therefore, starting today, deliveries must be made directly to each school building location to avoid burdening the students,” said Assistant for Economy and Development of the Probolinggo Regency Regional Secretary, M. Sjaiful Efendi.
SDN Sumberbulu is the result of merging two institutions with a total of 239 pupils divided into two buildings. 159 pupils from grades 1 to 4 are in the eastern building, and 80 pupils from grades 5 and 6 occupy the western building.
Previously, meal distribution was only carried out at one point in the eastern building, forcing pupils from the western building to walk across the road to collect the ompreng with teacher supervision, posing potential safety risks.
“MBG Programme distribution must prioritise aspects of safety and comfort for pupils,” he said.
Sjaiful requested that every complaint that arises be immediately addressed by the relevant parties, particularly SPPG, to ensure the programme runs optimally.
He hoped that in the future, it would be further improved, especially the quality of SPPG services, and emphasised that MBG programme food must be consumed at school to maintain food quality and safety.
“Food must be consumed at school and cannot be taken home to avoid risks of quality degradation,” he stated.
He explained that the monitoring and evaluation results are expected to serve as guidelines for all schools in Probolinggo Regency in implementing the MBG Programme, as the regency government is committed to ongoing supervision to ensure this programme truly benefits pupil nutrition improvement.
From the monitoring results, according to him, SPPG has expressed readiness to carry out direct distribution to the two school building points, and the school is asked to prepare clean and safe places for placing the ompreng and not to put it on the floor.
“With this distribution system improvement, the MBG Programme is expected to run more effectively, safely, and on target, as well as support the optimal growth and development of pupils,” he said.