Students are not forced to take MBG at school during holidays

JAKARTA - Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Nanik Sudaryati Deyang emphasized that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program is not mandatory for students during school holidays. He also denied the assumption that the distribution of MBG during holidays is solely to spend state funds.

"So children are not forced to come to school. Please take MBG if the mother, father, or brother takes it. If the school does not want to accept it, the parents do not want it, then it is also okay, and it is not forced. So, no one is forcing children to take a day off from school to take MBG. Please do not twist it," said Nanik confirmed in Jakarta, Tuesday.

He explained that BGN understands that efforts to improve nutrition do require continuity, but on the other hand also respect the holiday period that students are undergoing. Therefore, the mechanism for distributing MBG during the holidays is left to the readiness of each beneficiary school.

Through the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), schools that are willing to accept MBG can apply voluntarily.

"MBG dishes will be delivered by SPPG according to the school's request, in the form of dry food," he said.

Nanik also responded to criticism that the MBG program during the holidays was only aimed at absorbing the budget. According to him, the accusation was unfounded because there was efficiency in the implementation of the program.

"Quite the contrary, we save the budget because it is extraordinary in 2025, imagine, the MBG budget this year is Rp. 71 trillion, the target is for 6 million beneficiaries consisting of schoolchildren and pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers (3B), but it turns out we can benefit 50 million Indonesian children and the 3B group," he explained.

He explained that the savings were possible because not all MBG kitchens had to be built by BGN. A number of foundations and partners also contributed by building kitchen facilities independently.

"Finally, the cost that BGN spent was only for the MBG program of Rp. 15 thousand per meal; the salaries of BGN employees, including the head of SPPG, nutritionists, and accountants, which are currently almost 100 thousand and spread from Sabang to Merauke; and also for operations. The data I have conveyed can be checked to the Ministry of Finance," said Nanik.

Furthermore, Nanik emphasized the government's commitment to improving the nutritional quality of Indonesian children as directed by President Prabowo, namely ensuring that all children have access to nutritious food without exception.

"Both school-age children who are on the streets, People's Schools, children in pesantren boarding schools, both those registered with the Ministry of Religion and those who are not registered, all must be able to eat nutritious food for free," he said.

Regarding information regarding the plan to provide free meals for the elderly and disabled, Nanik emphasized that the program is not the authority of BGN.

"The program is still being discussed by the Ministry of Social Affairs, so it's not a BGN program," said Nanik S. Deyang.