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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesia considers school canteens for free meal program

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is exploring the involvement of school canteens in the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG).
  • President Prabowo Subianto has opened the possibility for alternative implementation schemes beyond the current Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) model.
  • BGN is also reviewing the program's budget, including the Rp 15,000 per recipient allocation, to ensure its adequacy and effectiveness.

Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is considering a significant shift in how its Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is implemented, potentially involving school canteens. This exploration follows a directive from President Prabowo Subianto to evaluate and improve the program's delivery mechanisms.

The President himself said earlier, please study if there are other alternatives, it's okay.

— Agustina ArumsariAgustina Arumsari relays President Prabowo's openness to exploring alternative implementation methods for the MBG program.

BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari stated that President Prabowo is open to alternative schemes beyond the existing Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) framework. "The President himself said earlier, please study if there are other alternatives, it's okay," Agustina told reporters. The current regulations, based on Presidential Regulation No. 115, mandate implementation through SPPGs. However, the President has emphasized the need for strong research backing any proposed policy changes.

He asked that every policy option be studied carefully, what the basis is and so on. Then come back to him, convey the progress for us to decide.

— Agustina ArumsariAgustina Arumsari explains President Prabowo's requirement for thorough research before policy decisions.

Agustina confirmed that involving school canteens is among the alternatives being studied. This initiative is part of a broader government effort to refine the MBG program, with support from relevant ministries and agencies. The agency is meticulously examining all policy options to ensure they are well-founded before any decisions are made.

Yes, that is included as part of what should be studied.

— Agustina ArumsariAgustina Arumsari confirms that involving school canteens is one of the alternatives being considered.

Furthermore, President Prabowo has instructed BGN to assess the adequacy of the MBG budget, specifically the Rp 15,000 allocation per recipient. The President wants a thorough calculation and review of all policy options, including whether this amount is sufficient. Agustina views these clear directives as a positive step for BGN to improve the program's execution. While discussions about budget reductions are ongoing, the agency is focused on completing its calculations to determine the precise funding needs.

He said, is the budget of Rp 15,000 enough? Please study. If it's not enough, what is the amount?

— Agustina ArumsariAgustina Arumsari quotes President Prabowo's inquiry regarding the sufficiency of the MBG program's budget.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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