The minister made the remarks on Saturday while symbolically presenting 172 thousand free nutritious lunch portions for students of schools operated by the Muslim organization Muhammadiyah in East Java.
Mu'ti said that students can learn a lot through the free lunch program, including maintaining discipline while queuing for food and being mindful of others by not taking excessive food servings from a buffet.
Schools can also nurture students' independence by instructing them to wash their own plates and cutlery after lunch for use the next day, he added.
"We are keen to cultivate the younger generation to be more disciplined, tolerant, independent, and responsible," the minister said.
Mu'ti further revealed that the ministry is devising the "Seven Habits of Outstanding Student" program, which will be launched in early 2025.
The seven habits comprise disciplined early wake-up, early sleep, religious worship, daily exercise, study, healthy and nutritious food consumption, and social attitude.
"The program is our strategy to instill a noble character in our children and develop good communication between students, their parents, and their school in monitoring their daily activities," the minister said.
On Saturday, the 172 thousand free lunch portions were distributed to 1,039 Muhammadiyah schools (primary to senior high schools) as well as 1,731 pre-schools managed by Muhammadiyah's women's wing, Aisyiyah, in East Java.
The free lunch distribution on Saturday also coincided with the launch of Muhammadiyah's 112th-anniversary commemoration agenda.
Translator: Astrid FH/Fahmi A, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
