Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti stated that the Free Nutritious Meal program not only helps meet students’ nutritional needs but also boosts school attendance, ANTARA News reported. The initiative, launched in early 2025 under the administration of Prabowo Subianto, aims to improve the nutritional status of school-age children, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers nationwide.
Dual Impact on Attendance and Efficacy
Speaking during a cooperation agreement signing between the National Nutrition Agency and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mu’ti highlighted the initiative’s dual impact on education. “Numerous studies demonstrate a clear link between free nutritious meals and higher student attendance rates,” Mu’ti said in an official statement in Jakarta on Sunday. “Many children go to school because a healthy, nutritious meal awaits them.”
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister @ncbn and Minister @naralokesh Share Mid-Day Meal with Government School Students, interacting with them and reviewing the implementation of the school nutrition programme. pic.twitter.com/d3f3kyYs1X
According to Kompas, Mu’ti likened the student turnout to community gatherings for Friday religious events, noting that the daily cadence of the school meal routine provides a more consistent pull. He emphasized that the benefits extend beyond physical health to foster an enthusiasm for learning and elevate overall educational quality.
Character Building and Daily Routines
The daily school meal routine offers practical opportunities for early character development among students. Educators use the mealtime structure to instill positive habits, including waiting patiently in line, practicing proper hygiene, offering prayers before and after meals, and showing gratitude for food.
These consistent, simple practices reinforce behavioral standards within the school environment. Consequently, the implementation of the program yields broader social benefits alongside physical nourishment, helping children adopt positive behaviors applicable to everyday life.
Integration with National Data Systems
To maintain accountability, the beneficiary database for the education sector has been integrated with the Education Main Data system. This technical integration undergoes continuous refinement to verify that all recipients are officially registered students.
BGN Head Sudaryono expressed appreciation for the ministry’s collaboration, citing the provision of school infrastructure, allocated meal schedules, and the incorporation of nutrition education into the core curriculum.
