Jakarta, – The government continues to strengthen the quality of national education by optimizing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program as part of its strategy to improve the quality of human resources from an early age. This program not only focuses on meeting students’ nutritional needs but also aims to support concentration in learning, increase student attendance, and create a more inclusive and competitive educational environment.
Regarding this, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the MBG program is a long-term investment for the nation’s future.
“Improving the quality of education must start with meeting the basic needs of our children. Through the Free Nutritious Meals program, we want to ensure that every Indonesian child has an equal opportunity to grow healthily and learn optimally,” said Prabowo Subianto.
Furthermore, President Prabowo Subianto also emphasized that the success of this program is inseparable from the synergy between the central government, regional governments, and community participation. This collaboration is considered crucial to ensure the program’s sustainability and increase the effectiveness of its implementation on the ground.
Echoing this sentiment, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the government is ensuring budget support for the sustainability of the MBG program.
“This program is an important part of human resource investment. The government is ensuring strong fiscal support so that its benefits can be felt widely and sustainably,” said Purbaya.
In addition to providing benefits to students, the MBG program also encourages local economic growth by involving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in food supply. Thus, this program not only contributes to the education sector but also strengthens the economic resilience of communities at the regional level.
The government continues to evaluate and refine the MBG program to ensure its implementation is more effective and sustainable. Strengthening the distribution system, improving menu quality, and maintaining strict supervision are key focuses to ensure the program runs according to its stated objectives.
By optimizing the MBG program, the government is optimistic that the quality of national education will further improve, along with the creation of a healthy, intelligent, and competitive young generation. Going forward, the government will continue to expand the program’s reach and strengthen cross-sector collaboration to realize an inclusive and quality education system for all Indonesians. ***
