Virtual Audience with Magelang Regency

Bandung, 27 Jan 2021.

To kick off 2021, the F2H team held a virtual audience to introduce the Stunting Prevention Family Education Program to relevant agencies and organizations in Magelang Regency. This virtual audience followed up on a previous meeting with Early Childhood Education (PAUD) mothers and Posyandu (Integrated Service Post) cadres conducted by the F2H Family Education team. The meeting was attended by representatives from various sectors, including the Education Office, Health Office, Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), Regional Research and Development Agency (Litbangda), Social Affairs Office (PPKBPPA) (coordinated by the National Population and Family Planning Board), Village Development Agency (Dispermades) (coordinated by the Ministry of Villages), the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, Sub-district and Village PAUD mothers, IGTKI (Indonesian Children’s and Children’s Empowerment Institute), HIMPAUDI (Indonesian Children’s and Children’s Empowerment Association), and PAUD HI (High-Age Early Childhood Education) facilitators in Magelang Regency.

Stunting is a growth failure characterized by a child’s height not reaching the standard height for their age. Stunting is a priority program, and the government has set a target of reducing the national stunting rate to 14% by 2024. One key to this reduction is a behavior change campaign, which F2H is implementing through family education counseling and distributing supplementation and stimulation information calendars and child height measuring tapes. The home visit approach was implemented primarily due to the pandemic, which prohibits gatherings.

Following the presentations by Dr. Lies and Mrs. Atte, representing the counselors in the field, Mrs. Lina and Mrs. Yayan, shared their experiences in the field. One of the young mothers they visited was under 17 and had no knowledge of childcare and parenting. Another mother had many children, many of whom were short, but did not perceive stunting as a problem because her children appeared healthy.

Despite the low awareness of stunting, the information calendar media has been acknowledged as opening parents’ eyes to “Isi Piringku” (My Plate)—a balanced nutritional plan for children (which differs from that for adults), and providing new insights into child stimulation. Amidst the pandemic, visits and questions from counselors have made the mothers feel cared for and provided with a voice. Counselors are also frequently invited to speak at village stunting discussions.

In response to this presentation, the Early Childhood Education (PAUD) mother from Windusari District acknowledged that stunting in Magelang Regency is quite high. Family Welfare Movement (PKK) cadres have conducted outreach and provided supplementary food from village funds. Questions arose about how to obtain the information calendar, which they believe would be helpful during the pandemic. The Education Office then stated that Magelang Regency already has 10 HI PAUD facilitators for the institution’s mentoring program. Collaboration opportunities, such as virtual technical guidance, can be discussed further. The Dispermasdes (Village and Community Empowerment Agency) added that a national data collection program for 1000-HPK families is in place and a regent’s regulation is planned to be issued regarding stunting management.

Speaking about the pandemic, it was acknowledged that early childhood education (PAUD) in Magelang was also affected. Many parents complained about the distance learning implemented, leading to a questionnaire being issued, where 98% of parents preferred face-to-face instruction. Marissa, a member of the F2H team and moderator, agreed and emphasized the importance of social support as a way to manage parental stress.

Despite some technical difficulties, the hearing went quite well. Due to time constraints, the information presented was brief. However, hopefully, it can be the beginning of a positive collaboration.