Author: Sitti Maesuri Patahuddin, PhD
After a lengthy electoral process and an indisputable constitutional decision, Indonesia will be led by Prabowo-Gibran. As Indonesia embarks on a new educational journey under this new leadership, the spotlight intensifies on transformative reforms coinciding with the commemorative National Education Day on May 2, 2024. These reforms extend beyond curriculum enhancement to critically encompass advancing student health through improved nutrition.
A wealth of research demonstrates the significant influence of nutrition on academic performance. Studies from diverse settings, including various regions of Ethiopia and broader international contexts, have consistently shown that improved nutrition correlates with enhanced cognitive functions and educational achievements. These results underscore the vital need to embed nutritional programs within educational policies, highlighting that proper nutrition during childhood is crucial for both physical well-being and intellectual growth.
The Prabowo-Gibran administration’s initiatives aim to boost educational standards by enhancing nutritional programs. These plans include providing free lunches and milk to 44 million schoolchildren, and extending nutritional support to approximately 30 million toddlers, 5 million religious school students, and 3 million expectant mothers. If each free meal costs Rp 15,000 (around USD1/meal), this would require a substantial budget of about 1.2 trillion Indonesian Rupiah per day, totalling approximately Rp 300 trillion annually. Such widespread nutritional support is envisioned to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, impacting both numeracy and literacy skills.
The broad scope of this nutritional program, however, raises questions about its feasibility and sustainability. For example: How will the necessary funds be secured? What strategies will ensure the efficient distribution of meals? Which organisations or government bodies will oversee the implementation? Who are the beneficiaries of the free meal program? How will they be identified and selected? What are the expected social and economic impacts of this program? How will its success be measured? And many more questions to be addressed by The Prabowo-Gibran team. Detailed and transparent plans are needed to show how these programs will be implemented to ensure that the nutritional quality of the meals will meet the diverse developmental needs of all students.
In this Op-Ed for National Education Day, I highlight crucial arguments and propose significant solutions. Educators play a central role in this transformative agenda, not only as teachers, but as vital agents of change. It is essential to enrich teacher professional development programs with training on the impact of nutrition on cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and problem-solving. This will enable teachers to effectively integrate nutrition education into their teaching of core subjects like mathematics, science, languages, and arts. Envision classrooms where students analyse nutritional data during mathematics lessons or explore the effects of diet on cognitive functions through literacy activities. This approach not only enriches the curriculum but also underscores the importance of nutrition in educational success.
Moreover, teacher training should also empower educators to promote healthy lifestyles, including balanced diets and mental well-being, and to serve as role models. This is crucial in shaping students’ attitudes towards nutrition and education. Additionally, fostering collaboration between teachers and parents is imperative. My experiences in Indonesia have shown the critical need for comprehensive education about healthy eating and food safety. Despite their economic status, many families often opt for unhealthy food choices, unaware of their harmful effects, and poor food handling practices are common, leading to foodborne illnesses among schoolchildren. These insights stress the need for an educational approach that not only encourages healthy eating and safety but also supports it with free meals in schools, enhancing the overall health and educational outcomes of students.
Second, as we commemorate National Education Day, it is critical to advocate for a paradigm shift in how school meal programmes are perceived—from mere temporary aids to essential rights. Acknowledging these programs as essential rights is crucial for eliminating the stigma attached to free meal schemes and for fostering a societal attitude that appreciates these initiatives for their significant contributions to educational equity. Such a shift is vital for ensuring that every child has access to the nutrition necessary for optimal learning and development, thereby upholding our commitment to equality in education.
Third, drawing insights from successful international models could offer strategies for integrating stakeholder collaboration and community support, pivotal for the program’s efficacy and acceptance. For example, cultural and regional considerations play a pivotal role in the acceptance and effectiveness of school nutrition programs. Japan’s Shokuiku – Food Education Program serves as an exemplary model in this regard. This initiative not only focuses on providing nutritious meals but also ensures that these meals are culturally appropriate and locally sourced. By incorporating traditional Japanese dishes familiar to the students, such as rice, fish, and seasonal vegetables, the program ensures high acceptance rates. Moreover, involving local farmers in sourcing ingredients promotes community involvement and economic benefits to the agricultural sector. Shokuiku fosters a deep respect for food and its origins, enhancing both nutritional knowledge and cultural understanding among students.
Fourth, leveraging public-private partnerships can bring additional resources and expertise, while allocating specific government budgets will sustain the initiatives long-term. Utilising technology for efficient distribution and involving local communities in implementation ensure adaptability and support. Drawing insights from successful international examples, such as Brazil’s government-supported and locally-sourced school feeding program, provides a proven blueprint for integrating educational and nutritional objectives effectively. The path ahead is challenging, but with concerted effort from all segments of society—including educators, parents, and policymakers—Indonesian schools can set a global standard for integrating nutrition and education. By investing in our teachers and redefining the role of education to integrate health and well-being into every subject, we pave the way for a future where every Indonesian child can achieve their full potential. Let’s use The National Education Day as an opportunity to renew focus on programs like the school lunch initiative and other health-related educational programs that have proven to enhance student learning outcomes.
This article was originally published on the Jakarta Post website.