Collaboration is the Key to Successful Implementation of the Free Health Check Program in Schools
By: Maya Pranadita *)
The government launched the Free Health Check Program (CKG) in schools for the new academic year in July 2025 as part of its efforts to create a healthy, strong, and learning-ready young generation. This initiative is not simply a response to students’ health needs, but an integral part of Indonesia’s vision for sustainable and inclusive human development. In its implementation, cross-sector collaboration is a key determinant of success.
The CKG targets more than 53 million students from elementary to secondary levels, including madrasah (Islamic school) students and elementary school (Sekolah Rakyat) students. The program is designed to reach children aged 7 to 17 and is conducted directly within the school environment. This mechanism demonstrates the government’s commitment to facilitating access to health checks without disrupting the learning process.
From the beginning, coordination between ministries has been intensively fostered. The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, emphasized that the implementation of the CKG is not solely the responsibility of one agency. The success of this program is determined by the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology.
On the technical implementation side, the involvement of professional health workers from community health centers (Puskesmas) and local health offices is a crucial element. Conducting screenings directly at schools not only provides convenience but also ensures that any findings can be promptly followed up. This approach emphasizes the importance of connectivity between the education system and primary health care services in Indonesia.
The CKG program has a broader mission than just medical examinations. Early detection of students’ health conditions will provide a gateway for more comprehensive interventions. The government recognizes that children’s health issues not only impact their personal lives but also influence their academic achievement, social development, and future contributions.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Muti, fully supports this initiative and emphasizes the importance of integrating screening data into the development of healthy school policies. CKG serves as a starting point for building a generation that is not only physically healthy, but also mentally and spiritually. Data from this program will also strengthen the implementation of School Health Units (UKS) and support the 7 Habits of Great Indonesian Children program.
From a communications perspective, the role of media and technology was also emphasized. The Director General of Public Communication and Media at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology, Fifi Aleyda Yahya, stated that extensive outreach through mass media will broaden public understanding of the importance of child health and quality education. The public needs to realize that the CKG, along with the Free Nutritional Meal Program and the People’s School Program, are part of the government’s broader agenda to strengthen the quality of the nation’s future generation.
This program has received support not only from the ministry but also from the legislative body. Abdul Fikri Faqih, a member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), welcomed the implementation of the CKG in schools, believing it could provide a map of students’ health conditions from an early age. Faqih sees significant potential in using test data as a basis for long-term preventive policies. This step could improve the efficiency of the state health budget, as valid data allows for more targeted targeting of exercise and healthy eating programs.
Efficiency is not the only added value of this program. In the context of boarding-based People’s Schools, the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo Priyono, emphasized the importance of health checks as a form of early prevention against potential disease transmission. This preventive approach aligns with the principle of inclusive development, which targets all segments of society without exception.
The CKG program is also inseparable from the spirit of realizing the Fastest Best Results Program (PHTC) as directed by President Prabowo Subianto. Through PHTC, the government places health as the primary foundation for building the capacity of Indonesians. CKG is not a temporary initiative, but rather part of a long-term strategy that prioritizes tangible and sustainable results.
In a broader context, the implementation of CKG reflects a new approach to national development governance. Collaboration is no longer merely jargon, but rather a working principle that demands harmonization of roles across ministries, regional governments, schools, community health centers, the media, and even parents. This is where the strength of the current government’s approach lies: building a system not with a single policy, but through program synergy and multi-stakeholder involvement.
The success of CKG will be a barometer of Indonesia’s ability to build an education ecosystem that cares about health aspects. The quality of education is notSuccess is measured not only by exam results, but also by students’ physical and mental readiness to learn, grow, and contribute. The government is not alone in this endeavor. Every element of the nation, from state officials to school principals, from medical personnel to journalists, has a vital role to play in ensuring this program has a real impact.
Therefore, amidst the bureaucratic complexity and field challenges, one thing is clear: collaboration is the key foundation for the successful implementation of the CKG Program in schools. Without close and sustained cross-sector collaboration, this strategic program will lose its impetus. However, with a maintained spirit of mutual cooperation, CKG has the potential to become an important milestone in creating a healthier, stronger, and future-ready generation of Indonesians.
*) Public Policy Observer
