KUA Goes to School Helps Reduce Stunting, Health Office Lauds Kemenag Kebumen

Kebumen. The KUA Goes to School program run by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) in Kebumen has drawn positive feedback from the local Health Office. Officials say the initiative is helping to reduce the area’s stunting rate.

Integration of Health Education in School Outreach

Through KUA Goes to School, religious education officers visit schools to engage students with lessons not only on faith, but also on health — particularly nutrition and family planning. This makes KUA’s role extend beyond purely religious affairs into broader social welfare. The Health Office commends this holistic approach, noting that educating young people early can strengthen their future parenting capacities.

Strengthening Family Resilience

By supporting discussions around marriage planning and healthy family life, the program contributes to building more resilient, well-informed families. This aligns with national efforts: the Ministry of Religious Affairs has integrated stunting issues into pre-marriage counseling modules.

Efforts to revitalize KUA (Religious Affairs Offices) as centers for community guidance further this mission. According to Kemenko PMK (Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture), enhanced KUA capacity can play a strategic role in fostering healthier families and reducing child stunting.

Local Impact & Stunting Trends in Kebumen

Kebumen has seen a significant drop in its stunting prevalence. Data from local regulations show stunting rates fell from 28.5% in 2017 to 9.87% in 2023.

Additionally, the Health Office’s endorsement of the KUA program highlights how collaborative interventions — merging education, religious institutions, and public health — can drive meaningful change.

Why This Matters

• It shows how religious institutions can be powerful partners in public health.
• By educating teenagers in schools, the program invests early in preventing stunting.
• It aligns with national strategies to use KUA’s extensive reach — especially through 5,900+ KUA offices across Indonesia — to deliver pre-marital guidance.