Kemendikdasmen Survey Says MBG Increase Concentration of Learning, DPR: Improvements Must Continue to Be Made

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, responded to the results of a survey by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) through the Character Strengthening Center which showed that the Free Nutritional Meal (MBG) Program had a significant impact on increasing the concentration and focus of students' learning. He assessed that the survey results should be an incentive for the government to be more active in implementing and expanding the scope of the MBG Program.

"These data show that nutritional fulfillment has a direct correlation with the quality of learning. The MBG program is not just a food aid, but a long-term investment in improving the quality of Indonesia's human resources," Lalu told reporters, Friday, February 20.

Even so, Lalu reminded that the implementation of the MBG program must continue to be thoroughly evaluated. Because various shortcomings are still found in the field, such as spoiled food and poisoning cases.

According to Lalu, these shortcomings must be prevented and anticipated with a stricter surveillance system. "Improvements must continue. Don't let programs whose goals are very good actually cause new problems. Food safety standards, distribution, to surveillance must be strengthened," he said.

Then stated, Commission X of the DPR RI continues to encourage the Ministry of Health to actively provide input and recommendations to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) as the party responsible for the technical implementation of the MBG, so that the quality of the program is better and more targeted.

He also hopes that the synergy between ministries and agencies can ensure that the Free Nutritional Meal Program runs optimally, sustainably, and really has a real impact on improving the quality of education throughout Indonesia.

"Including in the lagging areas and East Indonesia," added the PKB legislator from the NTB District.

For information, the evaluation survey integrated in the framework of the Seven Habits of Indonesian Children (7KAIH), especially healthy and nutritious eating habits, was conducted at the baseline stage of May-June 2025 to November-December 2025 by involving 1,203,309 student respondents nationwide.

The survey results showed that MBG-recipient schools recorded an average decrease in learning disorders due to hunger of 2.37 percentage points greater than schools that had not received the program.

In fact, in the eastern part of Indonesia, the reduction in learning disorders due to hunger in MBG-recipient schools was recorded as 14.85 percentage points greater than schools that had not implemented MBG.