<![CDATA[Abstract: The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is a flagship policy of President Prabowo Subianto, with a budget of IDR 71 trillion, targeting student nutrition as a prerequisite for educational success. However, policy evaluations remain limited to health outcomes, while the program's impact on learning interest —an affective dimension, particularly at the vocational high school level—has not been adequately mapped. This study addresses this gap by offering novelty through an administrative-pedagogical approach and a temporal case study at SMK Negeri 1 Merangin. The objective is to analyze MBG implementation and its implications for students' interest in learning. A qualitative case study method was employed, with data collected through observation (two periods: December 2025 and January 2026), in-depth interviews with teachers, principals, and MBG officers, and documentation. The findings reveal: (1) MBG implementation is structured around fixed schedules, communal eating, prayer, and handwashing; (2) all four dimensions of learning interest (attention, enthusiasm, discipline, and activeness) significantly improved; (3) key mediating factors include perceived care (feeling valued by the state), physiological fulfillment, and economic savings; (4) changes in learning interest occur more rapidly (2-3 months) than changes in academic achievement (>1 year). Policy implications: MBG evaluation must not rely solely on academic scores; it should also incorporate affective process indicators, such as learning interest. This study contributes to the development of welfare-based educational management theory. Keywords: Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG); learning interest; policy implementation; educational management; policy evaluation Abstrak: Program Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) merupakan kebijakan unggulan Presiden Prabowo Subianto dengan anggaran Rp71 triliun yang menyasar aspek gizi siswa sebagai prasyarat keberhasilan pendidikan. Namun, evaluasi kebijakan ini masih terbatas pada aspek kesehatan, sementara dampaknya terhadap minat belajar sebagai dimensi afektif—terutama di jenjang SMK—belum terpetakan secara memadai. Penelitian ini mengisi gap tersebut dengan menawarkan kebaruan (novelty) berupa pendekatan administratif-pedagogis dan studi kasus temporal di SMK Negeri 1 Merangin. Tujuan penelitian adalah menganalisis implementasi MBG dan implikasinya terhadap minat belajar siswa. Metode yang digunakan adalah kualitatif studi kasus dengan pengumpulan data melalui observasi (dua periode: Desember 2025 dan Januari 2026), wawancara mendalam dengan guru, kepala sekolah, dan petugas MBG, serta dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: (1) implementasi MBG berjalan terstruktur dengan mekanisme jadwal tetap, makan bersama, doa, dan cuci tangan; (2) keempat dimensi minat belajar (perhatian, semangat, kedisiplinan, keaktifan) meningkat signifikan; (3) faktor mediasi utama adalah perceived care (rasa diperhatikan negara), pemenuhan fisiologis, dan penghematan ekonomi; (4) minat berubah lebih cepat (2-3 bulan) dibandingkan dengan prestasi akademik (>1 tahun). Implikasi kebijakan: evaluasi MBG tidak boleh hanya berbasis nilai akademik, melainkan harus menyertakan indikator proses afektif seperti minat belajar. Penelitian ini berkontribusi pada pengembangan teori manajemen pendidikan berbasis kebijakan kesejahteraan. Kata kunci: Program MBG; minat belajar; implementasi kebijakan; manajemen pendidikan; evaluasi kebijakan]]>
