November 28, 2025 | 11:45 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has now assigned teachers in educational units to teach nutrition as part of the free nutritious meal program (MBG). This mandate is stated in the official nutrition education module compiled by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The module contains technical guidelines and learning materials that must be conveyed to the students.
The nutrition education module was launched on Friday, November 21, 2025, in Jakarta. Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Fajar Riza Ul Haq stated that the module launch is a step towards integrating nutrition education with the MBG program.
According to Fajar, the key to the MBG program's success lies in three main pillars. First, providing nutritious food that meets nutritional and food safety standards. "Second, engaging and interactive nutrition education that students easily understand," he said, quoting from an official statement on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Fajar continued, "Third, improving the school food environment through a healthy canteen." These three pillars, he said, reinforce each other to create sustainable changes in consumption behavior, not only in schools but also at home.
The module explains that nutrition education is a mandatory component accompanying meal distribution. The government evaluates the success of the MBG program not only on food distribution but also on students' understanding of the principles of balanced nutrition, their adoption of healthy eating habits, and their long-term behavioral changes. Therefore, teachers at schools that receive MBG funding are designated as the main facilitators of nutrition education.
To ensure that teachers are ready to take on this additional task, the module establishes a tiered training system. At the national level, responsible ministries for School Health Efforts (UKS), the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, will provide Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions.
These national trainers will then conduct training at the provincial and district/city levels for the MBG Program Acceleration Team from the Center for Education Quality Assurance (BBPMP) and the Education Quality Assurance Institute (BPMP).
The final stage is conducted at the schools. The school principals and the MBG team are required to conduct internal socialization and training for the teachers. They are prepared to understand the nutrition material, teach the module to the students, and involve parents and the school committee to ensure that nutrition education continues at home.
The module emphasizes three main goals: to provide standardized nutrition education materials; to equip teachers with an understanding and skills to teach nutrition topics; and to provide technical guidelines so that all schools implement education using the same methods.
Within the module, it is also stated that nutrition education is incorporated into the School Level Curriculum (KTSP). "Teachers (elementary and junior/senior high schools) will teach topics on nutrition problems and their impacts, food origins, food functions, balanced nutrition, healthy eating habits, healthy snacks, and waste selection," as cited from the Elementary School Nutrition Education Module, Friday, November 28, 2025.
Teachers deliver the nutritional material before students consume the free nutritious meal. "Nutrition delivery simulation for five minutes," the module states.
Furthermore, nutrition education is also integrated into both curricular and extracurricular learning activities. Every subject teacher is expected to incorporate nutrition-related materials.
For instance, a Bahasa Indonesia teacher in elementary school is asked to read or present simple stories containing nutritional elements. They can also incorporate nutrition information into poetry lessons. "Students are asked to complete simple tasks such as creating a list of five healthy habits from the story or creating a simple picture based on the story or poem," the module states.
Editor's Choice: ICW Finds 3 Foundations Affiliated with Former Corruption Convicts in Free Meal Program
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Persagi Denies Lack of Nutritionists Amid High Demand for Free Meals Program
8 hari lalu
Persagi's statement responds to BGN's earlier claims that nutritionists had become a rare profession since the free meal program implementation.
Bappenas: 40% of Indonesians Can't Afford Balanced, Nutritious Diet
34 hari lalu
Bappenas assessed that the cost of implementing a balanced diet is 66 percent higher than that of a sufficient one.
Indonesia's Nutrition Agency Removes 1,414 Free Nutritious Meal Kitchen Proposals
40 hari lalu
Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) removes 1,414 proposals for nutritional meal kitchen service unit for Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG)
6 Fruits and Vegetables That Stay Fresher When Frozen
44 hari lalu
Getting fresh fruits and vegetables is becoming increasingly challenging due to climate change and supply chain disruptions.
5 Mistakes When Cooking Spinach That Can Ruin Its Nutrients
47 hari lalu
The nutritional content and benefits of spinach greatly depend on how it is cooked. Boiled or sauted?
Selecting the Best Diet for Your Cat
18 Juni 2025
Finding the ideal food for cats can be a challenge, as it must provide adequate nutrition, the right amount of calories, and high-quality ingredients.
8 Nutritional Hurdles Facing Today's Children
9 Juni 2025
There are eight challenges for children's nutrition in the modern era that parents and families need to be aware of.
7 Benefits of Eating Oatmeal for Breakfast, According to a Nutrition Expert
26 Mei 2025
Oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber. This helps to feel full longer, reducing the desire to snack between meals.
UNESCO Urges Schools to Prioritize Nutritional Value of School Meals
7 April 2025
UNESCO urges governments to prioritize fresh, minimally processed foods and integrate food education into school curricula.
7 Most Popular Avocado Varieties in the World
7 Februari 2025
There are various types of avocados around the world. However, some of these avocado types can be considered the most popular.
