By: Naura Aristika
In recent years, the government has shown an increasingly strong commitment to addressing the problem of malnutrition and stunting, which are still serious problems, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas. One of the strategic steps that is currently a major concern is the launch of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which aims to provide adequate nutritional intake to school-age children.
This program is expected to not only improve the health conditions of students, but also increase their enthusiasm for learning, strengthen social resilience, and pave the way for equal distribution of welfare.
Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana said the MBG Program is a long-term investment in developing the quality of Indonesian human resources (HR). Evaluation is carried out so that its benefits can be felt optimally.
But like many other national-scale programs, the success of MBG is not only measured by the initial intention or budget availability alone. Its implementation in the field touches on many aspects that require strict supervision and continuous objective assessment. This is where the importance of a comprehensive evaluation is to ensure that the integrity of the program is maintained and the services provided truly reach those in need.
One of the most obvious challenges in implementing MBG is the issue of distribution. In many remote areas, limited infrastructure makes food delivery inefficient, often late. As a result, children who should receive nutritious food regularly experience a lack of services.
The Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, said that her party would monitor and supervise the implementation of the MBG, so that the government would conduct an evaluation, so that the MBG program would truly be beneficial to the community.
Not only that, the issue of supervision is also an important highlight. The implementation of a large-scale program, involving thousands of schools and service providers, certainly requires a strong and transparent monitoring system. Without a reliable monitoring system, the risk of misuse of funds is very high. It is not uncommon for reports to emerge regarding the quality of food that does not meet nutritional standards or the involvement of incompetent third parties in procuring food ingredients. This certainly betrays the initial spirit of the MBG program which should prioritize quality and sustainability.
Another problem that is no less crucial is the accuracy of beneficiary data. In many cases, aid distribution is not optimal because the student data used is not updated routinely or does not reflect the actual socio-economic conditions. As a result, aid can be off-target, cause social jealousy, and even create new inequalities in society. Without accurate data, MBG will only be an administrative activity that is far from its noble purpose.
Amidst these challenges, comprehensive evaluation is the key to keeping program implementation on track. Evaluation is not only carried out at the end of the budget year or as a formality of reporting, but must be a continuous process involving various parties from policy makers, technical implementers in the field, to beneficiaries and the wider community. Evaluations that are carried out periodically can provide a clear picture of the effectiveness of the program, any remaining shortcomings, and potential improvements that can be made immediately.
Through a comprehensive evaluation, the integrity of the program can be maintained. With transparency in every stage of implementation, the public has more trust in the government’s good intentions. Integrity is not just a jargon, but is reflected in the way the government manages the budget, sets technical policies, and responds to input from the community. When the evaluation results are published openly, the community feels involved and has the space to provide social control over the implementation of MBG.
More than just maintaining integrity, evaluation can also directly improve the quality of service. Evaluation allows the government to see in detail whether the food menu served really meets nutritional standards, whether raw materials are sourced from sustainable local sources, and whether the food processing process ensures cleanliness and safety of consumption.
In addition, evaluation can open up opportunities for community and business involvement in the implementation of MBG. For example, evaluation results can show the potential for local farmers to supply vegetables and fruits, or food MSMEs to provide healthy ready-to-eat food. In this way, the MBG program is not only a health intervention, but also a driving force for an inclusive local economy.
Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Nurhadi said that his party will push for a comprehensive audit of MBG vendors in various regions, including strengthening food hygiene and sanitation standards. If negligence or violations of procedures are found, then strict action must be taken.
Ultimately, the success of the Free Nutritious Meal Program does not only lie in the number of children who receive food or the size of the budget disbursed. True success lies in how the program is run with integrity, reaching those who really need it, and providing a real impact on the future generation of Indonesia. Comprehensive evaluation is not only a means of monitoring, but also a bridge to improve services, build trust, and ensure the sustainability of the program in the long term.
With consistent commitment and continuous evaluation, MBG can become one of the leading programs that not only solves nutritional problems, but also becomes a symbol of a country that is present for its people in a real and just manner.
)* The author is a Vimedia contributor
