Jakarta, 7 Mei 2026
SEAMEO RECFON officially marked the closing of the Online Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS) Training Program on 7 May 2026. As a regional center for food and nutrition research in Southeast Asia, SEAMEO RECFON organized this five-week training program to enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers, principals of schools and madrasahs, as well as other educational personnel from 125 districts/cities across 33 provinces in Indonesia in delivering nutrition and health education for school-age children and adolescents. The training also encouraged participants to develop school-based nutrition program Follow-Up Action Plans (RTL) as part of strengthening the School Health Unit Program (UKS/M) and the Healthy School Movement. A total of 550 participants registered for the training, with 494 participants remaining active until the closing day.
The session began with participant presentations of the Follow-Up Action Plans (RTL), developed as an outcome of the training in the form of nutrition programs for schools and madrasahs that are ready to be implemented to support the School Health Unit Program (UKS/M) and the Healthy School Movement. The presentations received feedback from SEAMEO RECFON nutrition expert, Dr. Luh Ade Ari Wiradnyani. “Identifying nutrition problems specifically in each school is an important foundation for driving meaningful and sustainable change. We need to identify more deeply what problems exist in the school, as this is the key to seeing real changes among students,” she stated.
Cross-sectoral synergy also strengthened this program. A representative from the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenag), Dr. Abdul Basit, S.Ag., M.M., delivered a presentation entitled Healthy Madrasah: Integrating Character Education, Nutrition, and Health into the Religious Curriculum. The presentation emphasized that strengthening students’ nutrition and health is an inseparable part of the madrasah curriculum and character development. “We must strengthen the concept of clean and healthy food within the madrasah environment. Nutrition and health are part of the implementation of deep learning,” he explained.
As one of the participants, Eka Mayasari from MIN 2 Bandar Lampung shared her experience during the program. “This program helped us understand that balanced nutrition is not only about eating enough, but also an investment in children’s future. Diverse and balanced eating habits can start from simple routines such as having breakfast,” she said.
The closing session concluded with remarks from the Acting Director of SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKLP., who expressed appreciation for the commitment and active participation of all participants throughout the training. “This training reflects our shared commitment to supporting the health and nutrition of school-aged children. We hope that the follow-up action plans that have been developed can be implemented consistently and create a sustainable impact on the school environment and students’ growth and development,” he concluded.
Through the Nutrition Goes to School Program, SEAMEO RECFON together with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemendikdasmen) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenag) continues to strengthen the capacity of educators as key drivers in nurturing a healthier, smarter, and more competitive young generation in Indonesia.