The first-semester student of the Department of English Language Education, FKIP, Universitas Kuningan, Indonesia
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is a government initiative aimed at improving student nutrition and learning outcomes. The program has demonstrated positive impacts in reducing malnutrition and enhancing students’ academic achievement. However, education is not the only sector that requires attention. Despite the significant focus given to the MBG program, many honorary teachers continue to face low salaries and limited support. Therefore, government policies should be more balanced in addressing both student nutrition and teacher welfare.
The Free Nutritious Meal Program plays a significant role in improving students’ health and educational outcomes. Through this initiative, issues related to malnutrition can be reduced. Data from the 2022 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI) indicate that the prevalence of stunting declined to 18.8%. The MBG program is expected to contribute significantly to achieving the national target of reducing stunting to 18% by 2025. In addition to improving students’ health, the program also enhances their quality of life and cognitive development.
On the other hand, honorary teachers continue to face challenging conditions. Many receive very low salaries, with approximately 74.3% earning less than IDR 2 million per month, which is significantly below the regional minimum wage in many parts of Indonesia. This level of income does not adequately reflect the responsibilities they carry. Furthermore, many honorary teachers face uncertainty regarding their future career prospects. Teachers play a crucial role in shaping future generations, and without adequate welfare and support, it becomes difficult for them to perform their duties effectively.
When comparing these two issues, a clear imbalance in policy attention becomes apparent. The MBG program receives considerable focus as part of the government’s effort to improve human capital development. Meanwhile, the challenges faced by honorary teachers often receive less attention. This disparity suggests that educational policies have not yet fully addressed the principle of fairness within the education sector.
Therefore, educational policies should be designed in a more balanced manner. The MBG program should continue because it provides substantial benefits for students. At the same time, the government must give greater attention to improving the welfare of honorary teachers. Both student nutrition and teacher well-being are essential components of a successful education system and should not be treated separately. Without adequate support for teachers, even the most promising educational initiatives may struggle to achieve their intended outcomes.
In conclusion, the MBG program has made a valuable contribution to improving student nutrition and learning quality. However, educational policy remains incomplete if the welfare of honorary teachers is overlooked. Greater and more equitable attention should be given to both students and teachers to ensure that Indonesia’s education system operates effectively, fairly, and sustainably. []
