In a statement received from her office in Jakarta, Haluk underlined that President Prabowo Subianto consulted with nutrition experts to evaluate the program's potential benefits on the physical and cognitive growth of children.
Speaking at an event held to promote the program at an elementary school in Merauke, South Papua, on Saturday, the deputy minister highlighted that Indonesia requires excellent talents to compete with other nations and usher in a golden era by 2045.
She added that research has shown that similar programs implemented in developed countries have helped enhance schoolchildren's comprehension capacity.
Haluk said she is confident that the free meals program would have a positive impact on the people's economy, provided it prioritizes the use of food ingredients produced and supplied by locals.
She drew attention to the manpower sector, expressing the belief that the collective implementation of the program would lead to the creation of jobs, and eventually help Indonesia slash the unemployment rate.
She then urged all parties in Papua to help make the program a success in the hopes of boosting the quality of the region's human resources.
"Perhaps our brothers and sisters on the islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and others have built a high level of awareness (about the program). In the six provinces of the Papua region, however, we will need to make a move," she said.
She then emphasized the importance of making all-out efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the priority program over the next five years.
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Translator: Narda M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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