The Badan Gizi Nasional (BGN) will resume its free nutritious meal program (MBG) for students on Friday, April 11, 2025, after a temporary halt during the Eid al-Fitr school holiday. This initiative aims to address the nutritional needs of school children, particularly after a period where meals were limited during the fasting month.
During Ramadan, the program provided students with meals such as boiled eggs, milk, dates, and fortified pastries. However, according to BGN head Dadan Hindayana, the program will return to serving fresh food, which is a significant shift back to the original menu designed to promote better health among students.
"Menu kembali ke fresh food dan SPPG yang sudah jalan akan kembali beroperasi 11 April," Dadan stated via WhatsApp on Monday, April 7, 2025, indicating that the Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) or nutrition service units are ready to distribute free nutritious meal packages starting this weekend.
The MBG program will initially focus on schools that previously participated, with new schools set to begin receiving food distributions on Monday, April 14, 2025. Dadan confirmed that at least 1,050 SPPG units are prepared to operate by this date, ensuring a smooth transition back to regular operations.
As students prepare to return to school after a lengthy 19-day holiday that began on March 21, 2025, the BGN has set an ambitious target for the program. It aims to reach 19.47 million individuals throughout the year, including children and pregnant women, with a total budget of Rp 71 trillion allocated for this initiative. Each school child will receive one free meal package per day, with specific distribution times based on their educational level: early childhood education (PAUD) at 8 a.m., grades 3-6 elementary school at 9:30 a.m., and junior/senior high school students at 12 p.m.
Meanwhile, in Pekanbaru, teaching and learning activities will also recommence on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, following the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The local Education Office (Disdik) has reminded teachers to refrain from extending the holiday and to return to work promptly on the first day of school.
Abdul Jamal, the head of Disdik Pekanbaru, emphasized the importance of effective teaching and learning activities right from the start. He stated, "Tim Disdik akan memantau warga sekolah, tingkat kehadiran gurunya dan absensi siswanya juga kami mendatanya," indicating that the Disdik team will monitor teacher and student attendance closely.
On April 7, 2025, Abdul Jamal reiterated that there should be no unwarranted extension of the holiday. Teachers who do not adhere to this guideline will face strict sanctions, including deductions from their allowances. "Guru sudah memahaminya, biasanya mereka sudah hadir dihari pertama masuk. Sanksi sudah jelas sampai dengan pemotongan tunjangan," he remarked, underscoring the seriousness of the matter.
In addition to attendance monitoring, Jamal urged schools to keep an eye on students' health conditions. If any student is unwell, they are advised to rest at home to prevent spreading illness to their classmates. "Menghindari menular ke teman-temannya, siswa yang sakit istirahat di rumah dulu," he concluded, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy school environment.
As both the nutritious meal program and educational activities resume, there is a shared commitment to ensuring that students receive the support they need to thrive academically and nutritionally. The BGN's initiative, alongside the proactive measures taken by the Pekanbaru Education Office, reflects a broader effort to enhance the well-being of children in Indonesia.
