Not All Students Will Receive MBG, Education Minister Says Policy Not Final

YOGYAKARTA - Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu'ti has confirmed that the government is still studying a new scheme for the implementation of the free nutritious meal (MBG) program. Until now, there has been no final decision regarding the mechanism of implementation and the target beneficiaries of the program.

Abdul Mu'ti said the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education continued to coordinate with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to formulate mature policies so that the MBG program can run effectively and accurately.

"There is no decision yet. We last met with BGN and are currently still drafting various policy scenarios so that MBG can run as well as possible. Everything must go through in-depth review," said Abdul Mu'ti in Yogyakarta, Sunday, July 5.

According to Abdul Mu'ti, one of the scenarios being discussed is that the provision of free nutritious meals is not given to all students, but is prioritized for students who really need it.

However, the government is still formulating a mechanism for determining the beneficiaries so that the policy can be implemented fairly and effectively.

"Not for everyone, but for those who really need it. The mechanism is currently still being arranged so that this policy can be implemented properly," he said.

Abdul Mu'ti explained that the MBG program not only aims to meet children's nutritional needs, but also to be part of efforts to build qualified human resources through strengthening character education.

According to him, the program is expected to support the birth of a generation that is physically healthy, free from stunting, and has healthy living habits from an early age.

The Ministry of Education and Culture has also issued various guidelines so that the implementation of MBG can be integrated with character education in schools, including through the habit of healthy eating as part of the seven good habits implemented in the educational environment.

Abdul Mu'ti emphasized that all technical policies for the implementation of the MBG program remain under the authority of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) as a leading sector.

Currently, the government is still calculating various needs, ranging from the readiness of facilities and infrastructure, human resources, to distribution schemes before the new policy is gradually implemented.

"We continue to provide input to BGN as the main executor. Various scenarios are still being calculated so that the implementation of this program is really targeted and runs optimally," concluded Abdul Mu'ti.