Headline: Palembang‘s ‘Makan Bergizi Gratis‘ Program Launched: Students React to New School Meals
Subhead: Free Nutritious Meal Program inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto starts in several schools in Palembang, Sumatra Selatan; students share mixed reviews about the menu.
Byline: Dai Dai
Body:
In a significant shift towards ensuring balanced nutrition for students, President Prabowo Subianto’s Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG) program kicked off today in various schools across Kota Palembang, Sumatra Selatan. Among the participating schools was SDN 25 on Jalan Inspektur Marzuki, Ilir Barat I.
The inaugural menu consisted of white rice, tofu, tempeh, stir-fried beans, and bananas. While reactions were mixed among the students, one thing was clear: the program has sparked conversation and curiosity about school meals.
Gibran, a third-grader at SDN 25, had strong feelings about the menu. "I don’t like tofu, tempeh, or stir-fried beans," he confessed. "I prefer chicken, fish, and stir-fried kangkung (water spinach)." Despite his dislike for the dishes, Gibran passively accepted his meal, stating he would take the rice home since he had already eaten breakfast.
Conversely, Queenza, another student, happily tucked into her MBG meal. "I like it because my mom often cooks this at home," she said, savoring her lunch.
SDN 25’s principal, Wiwin Purwanti, hoped that the menu could be varied to keep students engaged and interested in the meals. "Some children come to school already full from breakfast, but I hope the menu can be diversified to cater to everyone’s tastes," she added.
The meals and their portions are determined by the National Nutrition Board (Badan Gizi Nasional, BGN). The cost for TK and SD students is IDR 6,000 for ingredients, plus IDR 5,000 for transport and other miscellaneous expenses. For SMP students, the ingredients cost IDR 10,000, with another IDR 5,000 for transport and other expenses.
Kota Palembang’s Education Department Head, Adrianus Amri, revealed that the menus would rotate throughout the week. "Today it’s tofu and tempeh, but in the coming days, we’ll have fish, chicken, and beef options," he said. He also mentioned that the central kitchen for the program is provided by the BGN and is currently operational in three Ilir Barat I, Kalidoni, and Sukarami districts, with plans to collaborate with the military, local governments, and other catering services in the future.
The MBG program is set to run from Monday to Friday, serving as a significant stride towards ensuring that students in Palembang have access to balanced and nutritious meals.
