Indonesia's president removed the leader of a major school meal program after thousands of children became sick from contaminated food

Indonesia's president, Prabowo Subianto, recently made an important leadership change in his government. He removed the head of a major school meal program that has faced serious problems. This decision came after tens of thousands of schoolchildren became ill from eating contaminated food at school.

The free meal program was one of Prabowo's most important campaign promises. When he took office, he made feeding every child in public school a top priority. The goal was clear: improve children's health, help their families save money, and support their education. Many people believed this program could make a real difference in Indonesia's poorest communities.

However, the program quickly developed serious problems. Reports began to arrive about children getting sick after eating school meals. Food poisoning cases spread across multiple regions. Parents became worried and angry. Teachers reported large numbers of absent students due to illness. Hospitals in some areas treated many young patients with symptoms of food contamination. The situation damaged public trust in the government's ability to manage such a large program.

Investigators looked into what went wrong. They discovered problems with food storage, preparation, and quality checks. Some meals were not kept at safe temperatures. Others contained harmful bacteria. The supply chain had gaps where food safety rules were not followed properly. It became clear that the rapid expansion of the program had not included enough safety measures or staff training.

Removing the program's leader was Prabowo's response to these failures. Officials announced that new management would focus immediately on safety improvements. They promised better training for kitchen workers and stricter checks on food quality. New equipment would be added to schools to store food safely. The government also said it would slow down the program's growth to ensure quality.

This situation highlights a common challenge for governments with big social programs. Good intentions are important, but careful planning and safety procedures matter equally. A program that helps millions of children requires strong systems and constant monitoring. Food safety, in particular, cannot be rushed or overlooked.

Parents and education leaders are watching closely to see if these changes work. The program's future depends on whether the government can regain public confidence. For now, school meals remain free, but with new oversight and safety rules in place.

Inspired by reporting from BBC News.