Appreciation for the Government’s Steps to Create a Healthy Generation through Free Health Checks in Schools
By: Andhika Utama )*
The government has once again demonstrated its commitment to building a superior generation, not only intellectually but also health-wise. One concrete step that deserves appreciation is the launch of the Free Health Check (CKG) program, which has begun to be implemented in schools. This program is not just a casual activity, but rather part of a long-term strategy to ensure that every Indonesian child grows up healthy and ready to learn.
The Free Health Check is a program that allows students to receive free basic health checks within the school environment. This step marks a new era in a more holistic approach to education, where physical health is an essential part of the teaching and learning process. In its implementation, this program has received support from various parties, including Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), which oversees education and culture.
A member of Commission X of the DPR RI, Abdul Fikri Faqih, welcomed this program because it is strategic in supporting students’ physical readiness for formal education. He stated that this program is very strategic because it can help ensure students’ physical readiness for formal education. He emphasized that when health data is readily available, the policy approach can shift from curative to preventive. This means the government no longer simply treats diseases after they occur, but begins to anticipate and prevent them early. This shift will undoubtedly impact long-term state budget efficiency and foster a culture of health awareness among students.
The primary strength of the CKG lies in its ability to establish baseline student health data. Through regular health checks, the government can map students’ health conditions across various areas, from blood pressure, height and weight, dental health, to general fitness. This data provides crucial information for developing more targeted and efficient education and health policies.
The initial implementation of the CKG was carried out at the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat), a boarding-based alternative education unit targeting children from socially and economically vulnerable groups. Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf stated that by mid-2025, 100 People’s School locations will be ready to implement this program. In total, they will cover nearly 10,000 students, supported by approximately 1,500 teachers and more than 3,000 educational staff.
The government also noted that the program will be expanded to public schools and Islamic schools starting in August. The even distribution of participating schools, from Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua, demonstrates the government’s commitment to making health a basic right that should be enjoyed by all children, without exception.
In the religious education sector, the CKG program has received a positive response from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which sees the program as an effective way to maintain the health of students in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). The Director General of Islamic Education, Amien Suyitno, stated that the dormitory-based environment of Islamic boarding schools presents unique health challenges, and the CKG program can be a first step in collective health risk mitigation.
Support has also come from various regional stakeholders, including school principals and educators who see the direct benefits of the program. The Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo Priyono, assessed that the CKG program is not only a physical examination program but also an effective health education tool. Children are taught to recognize their own bodies, understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and are encouraged to adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle both at school and at home.
However, the implementation of the CKG program is not without challenges. Mass screening in schools requires the availability of medical personnel, standard equipment, and a well-integrated reporting system. The government continues to ensure that this activity is not merely a ceremony, but becomes an annual routine with a real impact.
The sustainability of the program is key to ensuring its benefits are truly felt in the long term. Regular screening is crucial for the program’s continued growth. Therefore, a monitoring and evaluation system is crucial for continuously improving the implementation mechanism of this program.
The next step that needs to be taken is to make the CKG a permanent part of the national education system. Health screening data must be processed and analyzed to develop a national student health profile. This profile can then serve as an important reference in determining the direction of education policy, from curricula that strengthen health education to policies for more nutritious school canteen services.and healthy. Local governments are also encouraged to take an active role in supporting this program through funding and providing supporting facilities.
The Free Health Check Program in Schools reflects the government’s vision of building a healthy, intelligent, and competitive future generation. The appreciation from the House of Representatives (DPR), ministries, and various other parties is proof that this policy has found a place in the public’s heart. More than just a health service program, the Free Health Check Program (CKG) is a long-term investment in the quality of Indonesia’s human resources.
Through strong synergy and ongoing commitment, the Free Health Check Program (CKG) can become the foundation for healthy schools that produce Indonesian children who grow strong, learn enthusiastically, and become the nation’s future hope.
)* Strategic Issues Observer
