P2G Warns Free Lunch Program Can Fail Completely because of This Factor

P2G Wanti-Wanti Program Makan Siang Gratis Bisa Gagal Total karena Faktor Ini

P2G Warning: Free Lunch Program Can Fail Completely because of This Factor

Dream - Education and Teacher Association (P2G), asked the National Campaign Team (TKN) 02 Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka to conduct an open, objective, honest, and transparent dialogue with civil society and academics before implementing the free lunch program for students. The program, which is planned during the Presidential Election campaign period (Pilpres) in 2024, is reported to be funded by the School Operational Assistance (BOS) budget.

Head of Research and Development (R&D) Field of P2G, Feriyansyah, said that the concept of free school lunches is a common policy in various countries. However, caution is needed and it cannot be done recklessly.

P2G Warns Free Lunch Program Can Fail Completely because of This Factor

"“We need to pay attention to countries that have implemented it and avoid potential problems from the policy of free school lunches. We must be careful and not hasty,” said Feriyansyah quoted from Merdeka.com, Monday, March 4, 2024."

"He exemplified the successful free lunch program in India which reduced the stunting rate by 22 percent in 11 years. Meanwhile, per capita GDP increased from US$442 to US$2,238, and GDP growth increased from 0.24 percent to 9.05 percent."

"Success is achieved because free lunch is not just a short-term program, but a constitutional right inherent to school-age children. 'The Constitutional Court in India mandates that whoever the prime minister and governor in India are, free lunch must continue to be implemented with a content of 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein,' emphasized Feriyansyah."

However, he reminded that similar programs encountered failures when implemented in the United States in early 2020. The free school lunch program failed not because of the pandemic but because the students did not take advantage of the free lunch quota.

"Turns out the free lunch label is only for the poor, causing children to choose not to eat and this program is closed in some schools. Surely this should be avoided if the program is implemented later,"

He said, "remind."

According to him, the things that need to be considered are the technical aspects, the readiness of supporting facilities such as cafeterias, and the standard nutritional supervision for each school. Therefore, Feriyansyah emphasizes the need for coordination with the Health Department, BPOM (Food and Drug Monitoring Agency), and the local government.

With all considerations, this free lunch policy can be implemented, but with caution and considering the field conditions. In the European Union, the implementation of this program varies. The Netherlands and Denmark do not apply it and it is not a problem for them. However, Finland found that children have insufficient nutritional intake on weekends, so every Monday there is an additional 20 percent compared to other days.

"So this program plan cannot be discussed haphazardly, without considering everything from budget sources, technical aspects, production, distribution schemes, public participation, and so on," he concluded.

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