Jakarta – The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 27, 2025 regarding strengthening the nutritional fulfillment program for students. This agreement is the basis for the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), which aims to increase school children’s access to healthy and nutritious food, as well as support overall growth and development.
The MBG program, which has been running since January 2025, aims to ensure that Indonesian children, especially those in school, have equal access to healthy and nutritious food. In addition to fulfilling nutritional needs, this program is also a means of character education by instilling positive values such as cleanliness, responsibility, and good habits before eating.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, emphasized the importance of this program in supporting the holistic growth and development of students.
“With this program, it is hoped that Indonesian children can grow into a healthy, strong, and characterful generation, who are ready to face challenges in the future,” he said.
Head of BGN, Dadan Hendiyana, emphasized that the MBG program also aims to address the inequality of access to nutrition, especially among underprivileged families.
“If this intervention is not carried out early, then in 2045 Indonesia is at risk of having a less qualified workforce due to unresolved nutritional problems,” he explained.
This collaboration also includes increasing human resource capacity, nutrition education, and utilizing facilities available in schools. The use of digital technology through the MBG dashboard is utilized to support more data-based policy making.
Initial data from the implementation of MBG shows positive results, including an increase in student attendance of up to 99% in a number of schools and an increase in children’s enthusiasm for going to school.
Not only at the central level, support for the MBG program also spread to the regions. West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan welcomed the implementation of MBG and emphasized that this program opens up economic opportunities for local communities.
“As an extension of the central government in the regions, we are ready to support this program, especially as it concerns the interests of many people,” he stressed.
Ria Norsan also encourages multi-party collaboration to support the sustainability of this program.
“The Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) kitchen needs a daily supply of vegetables, eggs, and meat. By involving local farmers and ranchers, we not only fulfill the community’s nutritional needs, but also create a sustainable economy,” he explained.
