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jakarta, January 26, 2026 – Indonesia’s child Protection Commission (KPAI) is urging officials to prioritize a child-centered approach as the country rolls out its new Free Nutritious meals (MBG) program.It’s a seemingly simple ask, but one that’s already running into roadblocks, and raises a crucial question: how do you deliver vital aid without inadvertently making children feel singled out or pressured?
A Kinder Approach to School Lunches
The KPAI is advocating for psychological and medical considerations in the implementation of Indonesia’s MBG program, citing concerns over bureaucratic pressure and school refusal.
- The KPAI wants the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and Nutritional Support Program Implementers (SPPGs) to focus on understanding and addressing the reasons behind resistance to the program.
- The commission is pushing for a move away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to nutrition, advocating for personalized meal plans based on individual medical records.
- Rising rates of childhood health problems like gastritis, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are driving the need for more tailored nutritional interventions.
“We must adopt a child-pleasant approach, rather than relying on instructions involving security personnel,” KPAI Deputy Chairperson Jasra Putra stated on Tuesday. Putra’s comments came in response to reports from an SPPG head in Banyuwangi, who faced challenges increasing program participation due to resistance from some schools.
Q: What’s the biggest concern with the current rollout of Indonesia’s free school meals program?
A: The KPAI is worried that a heavy-handed, bureaucratic approach-potentially involving security personnel-coudl discourage participation and fail to address the underlying reasons why some children or schools are hesitant to accept the meals.
Putra emphasized that addressing resistance requires sensitivity.”Dynamics on the ground, such as refusal from schools or children, should be addressed through psychological and medical perspectives rather than simple bureaucratic commands,” he stated.
Beyond simply getting meals *to* children, the KPAI is pushing for a more personalized approach. The commission recommends that the BGN and SPPGs establish a database of medical records, including Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) details, for each child receiving meals. This would move the program away from a “one-size-fits-all” model and allow for tailored nutrition based on individual health conditions.
Data from the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) reveals that 15-20 percent of school-age children exhibit symptoms of gastritis or acute gastric issues. Furthermore, there’s a concerning increase in cases of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity among young people, largely attributed to the high sugar, salt, and fat content in processed foods.
“if we maintain nutritional records from early childhood through university, the MBG program will become a vital instrument in saving this generation,” Putra remarked. “We would be able to detect malnutrition, obesity, and even conditions like thyroid disorders or anemia at an early stage.”
Related Developments
The government has also emphasized the role of village cooperatives in supporting the MBG program, viewing them as a crucial logistical backbone. Additionally, officials have stated that no schools or students will be coerced into participating in the program.