Vice President urges improvement of facilities during review of free nutritious meal programme in Minahasa

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka reviewed the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme at SMP Negeri 1 Tombulu in Minahasa Regency on Tuesday, to ensure the quality of the programme and encourage improvements to supporting facilities for students.

The Vice President arrived around 10:00 WITA and immediately inspected the food distribution and serving process to pupils as part of the evaluation of this government priority programme.

Minahasa Regent Robby Dondokambey said the Vice President also highlighted the condition of school facilities that need repair.

“There are several matters, particularly related to MBG, the kitchen, and the school, which have been seen by the Vice President. There are even suggestions from Mr Vice President that those in damaged condition should be repaired later,” said Robby, quoted from the Vice President’s Secretariat’s Press, Media, and Information Bureau in Jakarta.

In addition to reviewing the programme’s implementation, the Vice President interacted with the students and distributed writing materials as a form of support for their learning enthusiasm.

Class 9A homeroom assistant Chrisanti conveyed that the students showed high enthusiasm for the Free Nutritious Meals programme, which is routinely carried out at the school.

“The food is also delicious, so they are very enthusiastic,” she said.

“We are grateful for the existence of this MBG, the children can be helped to reduce random snacking,” she added.

The review is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring the quality of the MBG programme’s implementation, from nutritional aspects, distribution, to supporting facilities, so that its benefits are optimally felt by students.

During the event, the Vice President was accompanied by North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus Lumbaa and Principal of SMP Negeri 1 Tombulu Stenly Siwi.