Sudaryono Highlights Importance of Teacher Involvement in Free Nutritious Meal Programme

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has requested that teachers and education staff become involved in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in schools. This involvement is part of an effort to make MBG a means of education while strengthening food safety supervision before consumption by students.

BGN Head Sudaryono said the involvement of teachers is important to support education on healthy eating patterns and to serve as an additional layer of supervision over the food received by students. He explained that before food is given to students, food safety checks are carried out through several stages. At the school level, the BGN appoints a responsible officer, or PIC, from the administrative or school management staff.

Two PICs are tasked with receiving the food from the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) and conducting checks before the food is distributed to students. These checks are performed organoleptically by looking at, smelling, and tasting the food. Sudaryono noted that if the food does not meet standards, it must not be given to the students, making the PIC the penultimate layer ensuring the safety of the menu.

Sudaryono also encouraged teachers to consume the MBG menu together with the students. He believes this can strengthen the programme’s function as part of character education within the school environment. On the same occasion, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti stated that MBG in educational units is an integral part of the policy to strengthen character education. The policy is linked to the ‘7 Habits of Great Indonesian Children’ programme, which includes waking up early, worshipping, exercising, eating healthily and nutritiously, enjoying learning, socialising, and sleeping early.