Kupang -The implementation of free nutritious meals has begun to be simultaneously applied throughout Indonesia, including in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
However, only one district out of the 22 districts and cities in NTT has just implemented or run the program.
The government has designated 12 schools in Kupang Regency as the first locations in NTT to implement the free nutritious meal program (MBG).
“In Kupang Regency, it is the first point of the MBG program implementation,” said Danrem 161/Wira Sakti Brigadier General TNI Joao Xavier Barreto Nunes to Liputan6.com, Monday (6/1/2024).
He said that out of those 12 schools, there are approximately 3,062 students who received the program.
MBG is a priority program of the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka that has been simultaneously launched at 190 locations spread across 26 provinces, one of which is in NTT Province.
“We are fully prepared to support the implementation of this priority program to improve the nutritional intake of students,” said Joao.
He also conveyed that the TNI and the National Nutrition Agency are ready to cooperate for the smooth implementation of MBG, starting from the first day in NTT. NTT is one of the priority regions for the implementation of the MBG program.
The 12 schools in the Kupang Regency area include SD Inpres Puluthie, SD GMIT Tuapukan, SD Kristen Rehobot, SMP Kristen Rehobot, SMA Plus Kristen Rehobot, SD Inpres Noelbaki, SD GMIT Oebelo, SDK Sto. Yoseph Noelbaki, SDN Takolah Indah, SD GMIT Manumuti, TK Sta. Angelika Noelbaki, and SMAN 1 Kupang Tengah.
The government hopes that the MBG program can support nutritional intake, reduce the prevalence of stunting, and improve the concentration of Indonesian children in their studies.
Supported by the state budget
Acting Head of the Regional Financial Agency of NTT Province, Benny Menoh, stated that the free nutritious healthy food program (MBG) has already been implemented in the island-based province using the state budget (APBN).
“This program is funded by the state budget.” Since Monday, January 6, there have been schools implementing it,” he said.
He said that although it is supported by the state budget (APBN), the NTT government has also prepared a special budget to support the implementation of free nutritious meals in schools. However, the budget support from the NTT regional government is not as large as the budget from the central government through the state budget, which amounts to IDR 8 trillion.
The support from the NTT Provincial Government is only financial assistance for the district/city governments in NTT, because the authority for early childhood education, kindergartens, and elementary schools lies with the district governments.
“The technical instructions for the budget are still awaiting guidance from the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he concluded.
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