Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is considered a strategic step by the government to strengthen the quality of national education. This program, which targets students’ nutritional needs, not only focuses on children’s health but is also seen as a long-term investment in improving the quality of Indonesia’s human resources.
Lalu Hadrian Irfani, Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), emphasized that the MBG program does not disrupt education budget allocations, as has been the subject of public debate. He stated that the government is maintaining and even strengthening its commitment to funding the education sector.
“The MBG program doesn’t disrupt the education budget. In fact, with the MBG, our national education goals will be strengthened,” said Hadrian.
He explained that various coordination meetings between Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) and relevant ministries demonstrated that the MBG program has its own funding mechanism. Therefore, the program does not cut into the education budget previously allocated in the State Budget (APBN).
Hadrian added that the government has even increased the education budget allocation through a supplementary budget scheme focused on improving educational facilities and infrastructure, learning quality, and the welfare of teaching staff. This step demonstrates that the MBG program is aligned with the broader agenda of improving the quality of national education.
The MBG program is seen as a policy with a dual effect. In addition to helping meet the nutritional needs of school-age children, the program also has the potential to improve student concentration and reduce dropout rates. Regular nutritious food intake is believed to support students’ physical and cognitive development, which ultimately has a positive impact on the learning process at school.
Furthermore, Hadrian assessed that the existence of MBG is part of the state’s investment in the development of future generations. Quality education is determined not only by the curriculum and teaching staff, but also by the health and nutritional status of students. Healthy children who receive adequate nutrition tend to have better learning abilities.
He emphasized that the success of this program requires careful planning and transparent and accountable implementation. The government needs to ensure the quality of the food provided to students truly meets the required nutritional standards. Furthermore, strict oversight is also necessary to ensure the program’s implementation is effective and on target.
“With careful planning and proper oversight, MBG can be a strategic investment that makes a real contribution to improving the quality of national education,” Hadrian said.
Ultimately, the MBG program is viewed not merely as a food aid program for students, but as a strategic policy that strengthens the foundation of national education. By meeting the nutritional needs of schoolchildren, the government strives to create a healthy, intelligent generation that is ready to face future challenges.
The MBG program demonstrates that improving education quality can be achieved through a more comprehensive approach, integrating aspects of health, welfare, and learning into a single human resource development policy. Support from various parties, including parliament, is expected to ensure the program’s optimal implementation and achieve a higher quality national education.