South Sulawesi Education Agency Supports School Canteens Managing Free Nutritious Meals Programme

The Head of the South Sulawesi Provincial Education Agency, Iqbal Najamuddin, has stated his support for schools potentially being given the authority to manage the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. He noted that most schools already have canteens that can be optimised to support the programme, although these canteens must first meet eligibility standards equivalent to the MBG service provider kitchens. Therefore, technical guidelines and standard operating procedures are needed to regulate aspects such as hygiene, food safety, and the governance of serving nutritious meals to students. The key point, he stressed, is not merely the existence of a canteen, but how that canteen can fulfil the service standards set within the MBG programme. The South Sulawesi Education Agency also highlighted the need for special attention for schools located in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions. For areas with a limited number of students or challenging geographical conditions, the MBG implementation scheme can be adapted to local needs, but must still refer to the same service standards. The plan to involve school canteens in the MBG programme emerged as part of the government’s evaluation to improve budget efficiency while overcoming logistical distribution obstacles, especially in 3T regions. The agency affirmed its readiness to follow central government policy as long as it is supported by clear regulations and operational standards to guarantee the quality of nutritional services for students.