YOGYAKARTA - The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu'ti said the policy scenario regarding the involvement of school canteens in the distribution of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program is still in the stage of joint preparation with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
"So there is no decision yet on how the canteen and other services will be. In order for MBG to run well, of course, everything must go through in-depth review," said Abdul Mu'ti in Yogyakarta, Sunday.
According to him, the discussion that has been decided in the ministerial level meeting is related to the target beneficiaries of MBG who will not be given to all students, but only to those in need.
"What has been decided in the ministerial level meeting is that the MBG recipients will not be for everyone, but only for those who need it," he said.
However, he said the mechanism for implementing the policy was still in the drafting stage so that its implementation could run optimally.
"How the mechanism is being arranged so that this policy can be implemented well," he said.
Abdul Mu'ti explained that the policy on the distribution of MBG is the authority of BGN and Kemendikdasmen only provides input regarding its implementation so that the objectives of the MBG program as expected by President Prabowo Subianto can be achieved.
"The spirit of MBG is intended by the President to build a generation that is physically healthy so that it is free from stunting," he said.
He assessed that the distribution of MBG benefits would be more targeted if it was prioritized for students who really needed it.
"So it is more appropriate who is most entitled to receive it who is served," he said.
On various occasions, continued Abdul Mu'ti, the Ministry of Education and Culture also continues to emphasize that MBG is not only a provision of nutritious food, but also a part of strengthening the character education of students in schools.
The program, he continued, is one of the seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children, namely getting used to eating healthy and nutritious food.
"We have issued various guidelines on how character education is integrated with MBG," he said.
He added, the Ministry of National Development continues to coordinate with BGN and awaits the issuance of follow-up policies regarding the implementation of the program.
"How will the new policy be prepared by BGN as an institution that has the authority to organize MBG," he said as quoted by Antara.
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