Free Nutrition Food Trial For High School Students In Jakarta Next Week

Illustration of free nutritious food (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) is hinting at a trial of a free nutritious food program (MBG) for students at high school (SMA) next week.

"Next week we want to test SMA, the place will still be discussed by the Head of the (Education) Office and the Assistant for People's Welfare of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Secretariat," said Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono while reviewing the trial of the program at SDN Manggarai 01 and SMPN 3 Jakarta, Monday 9 September.

He explained that this program for students aims to improve the health and nutrition of elementary school children in Jakarta through the provision of balanced healthy foods.

This program is a step to support the growth and development of children, as well as improve their learning achievements. The free nutritious food program will start in 2025.

The trial program has been running for approximately one month targeting students in elementary schools (SD) and junior high schools (SMP) with varying food menus.

In the program trial at SDN 01 Manggarai in collaboration with Bank DKI, students received a food menu consisting of nasi uduk, semur eggs, tempeh orek, vegetables and bananas.

"On average, it runs out. It's just that in grades one and two elementary schools, I like it, but it took a while (it ended). Elementary school has 500 boxes each for Rp. 20,000," said Heru.

Meanwhile, the menu for students of SMPN 03 Manggarai in collaboration with Dharma Jaya is rice, beef teriyaki (a food made from beef with a mixture of Japanese teriyaki sauce), salad vegetables, and bananas. There are 1000 boxes of food available at a price per box of IDR 25,000.

"It seems that what we have to pay attention to and teachers are first and second grade elementary schools. The menu must run out because the menu is the nutritional intake we provide. If it doesn't run out, it's useless too," said Heru.