October 14, 2025 | 08:43 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Deputy Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR), Lalu Hadrian Irfani, supports Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu'ti's idea to manage the free nutritious meal program (MBG) through school kitchens. He believes this approach aligns with the spirit of educational decentralization and can strengthen school independence in providing nutritious food for students.
"The school kitchen concept opens up opportunities for schools with the capacity to manage their own nutritious meal provision, of course, subject to established requirements and standards, including a feasibility assessment from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). I consider this a progressive approach," said Lalu Hadrian, as quoted in an official statement, Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
According to Lalu Hadrian, the DPR's support for the MBG program must be accompanied by strict oversight, cross-ministerial coordination, and technical assistance for schools planning to become school kitchens. He stated that Commission X will push for the MBG implementation regulations currently being prepared by the government to include technical provisions for school kitchen operations, nutritional quality standards, food safety, coaching mechanisms, and incentive schemes for schools that pass the BGN assessment.
The PKB faction politician added that the school kitchen model also provides flexibility for schools to adapt menus to local conditions and the availability of local food ingredients. This way, the implementation of the MBG can be more adaptive and sustainable.
"Schools in remote or agrarian areas have the potential for local food ingredients that can be utilized. With the school kitchen approach, we can optimize local resources while minimizing logistical constraints," he said.
Latung Hadrian stated that Commission X will continue to oversee the deliberations on regulations and ensure the availability of budget allocations for school kitchen implementation, both from the central and regional budgets. The House of Representatives (DPR) also plans to promote training in school kitchen management and food sanitation for educators and program managers.
"Our shared goal is to ensure that every child receives adequate nutrition to grow up healthy and ready to learn. From the DPR's perspective, school kitchens are a smart way to realize an effective and sustainable MBG," Lalu Hadrian said.
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