EFFECT OF MID- DAY MEAL SCHEME ON ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION OF BOYS AND GIRLS AT ELEMENTARY LEVEL IN DISTRICT SRINAGAR

The present paper assesses the effect of a nationally authorized free mid-day meal scheme of India on school enrollment and retention with respect to gender. School panel data allows us to reflect over the strategy of progress in enrollment and retention rates of boys and girls. Researcher has used a descriptive method to conduct the study. A combination of quantitative andqualitative method was used where both the primary and secondary data were taken from the schools. Tool used for the study was information blank in a modified form supported by interviews with head teachers and students. A simple random sampling technique has been used by the researcher to carry out the study. A sample of 80 schools was drawn from a total population of 209 elementary schools of the district Srinagar. Analysis of data reveals that mid-day meal scheme has more positive effect on access of girls as compared to the boys at elementary school level in district Srinagar of Jammu and Kashmir.