Minister optimistic about free meals program improving students' IQ

Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan expressed hope that the government's Free Nutritious Meals program would improve the intellectual quotient (IQ) of students.

Hasan noted here on Friday that President Prabowo Subianto envisions fulfilling the nutritional needs of Indonesian children so they can grow healthily and develop a strong physique.

"We hope that for the future generations, their IQ level could be at an average of 120. Currently, the average is 80," he remarked while monitoring the free meals program trial at an early childhood education school.

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He elaborated that if Indonesian children could attain a high average IQ, they have the potential to contribute to realizing Indonesia as a developed country in the future. This improvement would also enhance children's competitiveness in various fields.

The minister said that the menu prepared in the free meals program from various regions is diverse and meets adequate nutritional standards.

He highlighted that the government prioritizes nutritional standards in the program though not all children may prefer the provided food.

Hasan explained that prioritizing appealing menus for children without adhering to the nutritional guidelines could yield unsatisfactory results in future assessments after five or 10 years.

To this end, he affirmed that nutritionists have tailored the menus for the free meals program in all regions.

The Indonesian government officially launched the Free Nutritious Meals program on January 6, 2025, across 190 locations in 26 provinces.

A budget of Rp71 trillion (around US$4.35 billion) has been allocated for the program, which is one of the priority programs of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Through the program, the government aims to enhance the nutritional intake of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to high school age.