Students at Gelarsari Islamic elementary school in Sukabumi regency, West Java, receiving free lunches during a trial of the programme. - PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR SHALAHUDIN SANUSI
SUKABUMI, WEST JAVA (The Straits Times/ANN): A trial programme providing a free meal a day has yielded not just financial relief for households but also improved child nutrition and student outcomes such as attendance and focus.
The free school lunch initiative for children from poor or disadvantaged families was introduced by president-elect Prabowo Subianto and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka as one of their key campaign promises. Mr Gibran is President Joko Widodo’s elder son.
