School Meal Programs and Student Learning Motivation: A Qualitative Case Study in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56832/edu.v6i3.2911Keywords:
Student Engagement, Learning Motivation, Nutrition, School Meal ProgramsAbstract
Although school meal programs are widely associated with nutritional and health benefits, their relationship with students’ learning motivation remains underexplored across diverse educational contexts. This study examines how Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (Free Nutritious Meals/MBG) program relates to students' learning motivation at SMA Gama Yogyakarta. Employing a qualitative case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation and analyzed using an interactive analytical approach. The findings indicate that the program is perceived to support students' learning focus, reduce classroom lethargy, and contribute to more consistent school attendance. Adequate meal provision appears to function as an external support for daily academic engagement. However, menu variations and inconsistent meal distribution schedules present challenges to the program's sustained implementation. These findings suggest that school meal programs may support a more active learning environment when nutritional provision is accompanied by reliable logistical management. The study contributes context-specific evidence to discussions of school nutrition and educational engagement, highlighting the importance of integrating food provision with consistent service delivery. Its original contribution lies in identifying the perceived links between meal provision, classroom alertness, learning focus, and attendance within a single Indonesian secondary-school case.
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