Jakarta, Aug. 9 -- Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program not only provides food but can also help improve students' math and English skills if implemented creatively, according to Vice Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie.

During a visit to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) booth at the 2025 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) at ITB University in Bandung, West Java, she suggested that teachers use MBG meals as a teaching tool.

"Through the MBG program, schoolchildren not only receive proper nutrition but can also learn counting or study English from the foods served to them," Christie said in a statement issued Friday.

She added that the MBG program can motivate children...