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Real food for thought is what children most need
Neither malnutrition nor rice dependency is a new issue in Indonesia, and we should refer to successful programs in the past, even back to the colonial era, to tackle root causes like nutrition illiteracy for the development of quality human resources; instead of simply handing out free lunches.
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Trial run: Coordinating Economics Minister Airlangga Hartarto checks the meals of a student during a simulation of the free-lunch program at SMP 2 state junior high school in Curug, Tangerang regency in Banten on Feb. 29, 2024. (Antara/Sulthony Hasanuddin )
E
ven though the signature free lunch program of presumptive president-elect Prabowo Subianto has not been officially implemented, it was piloted on Feb. 29 at a junior high school in Tangerang, Banten.
Several students at the school gave voice to humorous comments about their meals. Even though they were happy to receive the free lunch, some expressed dissatisfaction that the portion of rice was small compared to the side dishes they were served.
This comment is funny but also full of irony, because it highlights the nation’s dependence on rice as a staple while the food commodity’s prices soar.
A question has also been raised over the free lunch program, which aims to improve children's nutrition, as to whether it can solve the root causes of stunting in the country.
The government says it has reduced the prevalence of childhood stunting from 24.4 percent in 2021 to 21.6 percent in 2022, and has pledged to lower the rate further to 14 percent this year. This high stunting rate has hindered the efforts of central and regional governments to improve the quality of human resources.
Even before the free lunch program was unveiled during Prabowo’s presidential campaign, the government has been carrying out various programs to prevent, control and reduce the stunting rate in the country.
Stunting is often thought of as a problem that has emerged only in the last few years, but historically, stunting is not a new problem. This health issue has been part of Indonesia's journey since the colonial era.
