By: Nur Amalia S*)
The Indonesian government continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving the quality of education and the welfare of children through the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG). This program not only aims to provide food for students but also forms part of a broader strategy to enhance the intellectual development of the nation’s children. With adequate nutrition, it is hoped that children will grow up healthy and have better intellectual abilities.
Since its launch in January 2025 in Sorong City, this program has been implemented in nearly 300 schools, benefiting almost 60 thousand students. The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen), Fajar Riza Ul Haq, stated that one of the main factors affecting students’ academic performance is their physical condition during learning. According to him, many children come to school hungry, which results in a decrease in their concentration and ability to absorb the lesson material. Therefore, with MBG, every child receives sufficient nutrition, enabling them to focus and learn more effectively.
In addition to directly impacting health and concentration, the program also provides additional benefits for the development of children’s character. With regular meal schedules and nutritional oversight, students learn the importance of healthy eating habits, cleanliness, and discipline in following daily routines. Educators at schools that have benefited from this program also acknowledge the positive changes in students’ attitudes and enthusiasm for learning.
The Principal of SD Negeri 24 Rufei, Sorong City, Sientje Martentji Ajomi, revealed that since the program began, students have shown more enthusiasm when mealtime arrives. She explained that after receiving nutritious meals, the children displayed an increase in their learning spirit, were more focused in class, and more actively participated in discussions and asking questions. According to her, this change is a tangible result of the improved nutritional intake provided by MBG. She also hopes that the program will continue and include additional nutrients such as milk to further complete the students’ nutritional needs.
The improvement in students’ enthusiasm and concentration has also been felt by Mince Kambu, the Principal of SD Negeri 9 Sorong City. She mentioned that before the program, many students would get tired easily and had difficulty focusing, especially in subjects requiring logical thinking, such as mathematics. However, since the students have been regularly receiving nutritious meals, they are more enthusiastic about learning and have even shown improved school attendance.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stated that the nutritional adequacy provided to children through this program will contribute to the enhancement of their intellectual capabilities. He explained that if children receive sufficient nutrition from an early age, their brain development will be optimal, and it is hoped that future generations will have an average IQ above 120. According to him, if the intellectual intelligence of Indonesia’s population increases, the ambitious goal of creating the Golden Generation of 2045 will be more easily achieved.
During his visit to PAUD Terpadu Asoka in Makassar City, Minister Zulkifli Hasan also emphasized the importance of menu variety in the MBG program. He observed that children’s food preferences vary across different regions. According to him, the program should not only provide food that children like but also ensure that they receive a balanced combination of nutrition, including protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruits.
The government has allocated a budget of IDR 71 trillion to support this program, with the amount set to increase to IDR 171 trillion by the end of 2025. The primary focus is on schools whose students come from lower-middle-class families or regions with high food insecurity. This approach ensures that the program can have a more significant impact on children who genuinely need support in terms of nutrition.
In addition to improving children’s intelligence, the MBG program also has broader social benefits. This policy is expected to reduce dropout rates as children are more motivated to attend school. On the other hand, this program also helps the local economy, especially local farmers and breeders who supply food for the program.
The MBG program will be implemented gradually, with the goal of ensuring that all schools in need can benefit from MBG by the end of 2025. The government is fully committed to ensuring that every child in Indonesia has equal access to quality education. Therefore, various other policies are also being implemented, including the redistribution of teachers to private schools in need, providing incentives for honorary teachers, and reducing the administrative burden on teachers so they can focus more on teaching and guiding students.
Through the MBG program and other supporting policies, it is hoped that Indonesia will produce a generation that is smarter, healthier, and ready to compete globally. Education is a right for every child, and with the right policies, the government strives to ensure that no child is left behind due to economic factors or their place of residence. This program is not just about food; it is about building a brighter future for Indonesia.
*) The author is a Nutrition Science student from Makassar.
