Government Continues to Improve the Quality of Education and Nutrition in Papua Through MBG
Jakarta – The government has emphasized its commitment to improving the quality of education and nutrition in Papua as part of equitable national development.
In this regard, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu’ti, stated that access to proper education for all Indonesian children must be a priority.
“We want to ensure that every Indonesian child can learn in a safe and comfortable environment. There should no longer be any schools with inadequate buildings or minimal facilities. All children have the right to receive quality education,” said Mu’ti
The government has set three main focuses in the education sector, namely the development of school infrastructure, improving the welfare and quality of teachers, and strengthening character education.
On the other hand, efforts to improve nutrition are also a serious concern for the government. The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program managed by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) continues to be evaluated to ensure its effectiveness in helping children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers get adequate nutrition.
“Because the Free Nutritious Meals are under the National Nutrition Agency. And indeed, in the last limited meeting, this program that has just started to be implemented will continue to be evaluated,” said Mu’ti.
West Papua Senator, Filep Wamafma, also highlighted the importance of improving the quality of education in Papua, including the proposal to form Education Volunteers to overcome the shortage of teachers in remote areas.
“The Minister accepted the submission. So we hope that this can be realized and later the volunteers who will be recruited by the ministry can become drivers of education in the regions, in villages, districts to coastal areas, the interior of Papua,” he said.
Furthermore, Filep emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in supporting the development of education in Papua through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
The government itself continues to strive to improve the quality of education in Papua. One way is through the distribution of Secondary Education Affirmative Scholarships (ADEM) to more effectively help students from Papua and disadvantaged, outermost, and remote areas (3T), including in Papua.
Through these strategic steps, the government is optimistic that it can improve the quality of education and health of the Papuan people, as well as create a more superior and competitive generation.
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