Prathvi Uthaiah means well. He is earnest and deeply caring that Kodava youngsters do well in competitive exams – especially as it pertains to the Armed Forces.
The problem in Kodagu seems to be a bit more deep-rooted. Most local residents do not necessarily understand that competitive exams need exemplary hard work – and have an “entitled” attitude.
An old adage states – All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.
The converse is also true: All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy!
If we are serious as a community to stand up to the realities of the outside world, there needs to be a hunger to succeed. We have to change our mindset in every field if we want to retain the preeminent leadership role that our ancestors displayed in the earlier decades, within the district. The lack of Kodava students at Sainik School at Kudige is a huge negative reflection on resources being in place but lack of participation/representation by us. Having said that, our illustrious senior armed forces officers could perhaps take a more proactive role in flexing their muscle, influence, capabilities and guile in reversing this trend. Our community organizations like the Kodava Samajas, CEF and similar entities could act more purposefully and proactively. – CLN Newsdesk
My daughter is a trainee officer in the Indian Airforce. Initially she used to complain with me about her batchmates who were from Sainik schools(SS). They were performing better than other candidates like her and also officers were giving more preference to SS for demonstrating various training tasks. This irritated other candidates.
The reason for such a preference by trainers is due to their defence like discipline inculcated in 7 years of schooling in Sainik schools. I have some experience of training’s imparted in Sainik schools. I have made use of the facilities of Sainik school, Kodagu for training some of my students preparing for SSB, whenever the need arose. On one such occasion, one of the vice principals (VP) insisted that my son (who was a student of Sainik school, Kodagu at that time) would demonstrate some obstacles tasks to my students.
When he was called to VP office he was having lunch. Without delay he came running and saluted to VP. He was ordered to finish his lunch and report back in 6 minutes. He complied. That is the defence discipline. Just comply. No questions, no reasons. I had few colleagues (who studied in Sainik schools) during my service with the office of C&AG of India (normally referred as AG office, Bangalore). They were ready for anything – any time officers.
What makes the SS students tough is the defence style control and discipline. It is headed by an Army colonel level officer as Principal and two VPs of lieutenant Colonel level. Students have regular routine commencing from 5 am and upto 10 pm. Equal importance given to sports extracurricular activities, like swimming, horse riding, squash, football, hockey and many more. Lot of internal house competitions take place continuously.
The interesting part is the diet with 4-5 times non-vegetarian food every week. Proper scheduling of October and summer holidays. Once in every month, students can visit their home for one day. Students are taken to various defence training Academies like INA, AFA, OTA etc., for visit. Several senior defence officers visit the school regularly to mentor the students.
What I liked most was the facility given to interested class 11 and 12 students to join online classes. The students deposited a smartphone with the school without sim. They could collect the mobile for online class connecting through school WI-FI, under supervision. Due to this facility, students could prepare well for NEET, IIT-JEE etc., which was not possible in other/private residential schools. Private residential schools may emulate this for class 11/12 students.
The other interesting feature of the school is its continuous training for NDA both for written and for SSB interviews. Twenty three students cleared The written exams for NDA (conducted in September 2025) from Sainik school Kodagu which is a great achievement by itself. To understand this let us work with the statistics of NDA. Usually about 8 lakh students appear for NDA exam and 8 thousand students pass the exam.
Means one in one hundred student clear NDA written exam. 23 students out of 100 students of Sainik schools clearing the exam shows the level of learning and appropriate coaching in Sainik schools. The NDA passed students will be facing SSB interviews for final selection. Hope that at least half a dozen students (out of total 400 to be selected to join NDA) out of this 23 will make it. Let us wish them the best.
Selection to Sainik schools is based on All India Sainik school entrance Exam (ASIEE), conducted every year in January. Both boys and girls clearing AISSEE can join Sainik school for class 6 and 9. If we watch the AISSEE selection for Sainik school Kodagu, the names of local candidates is rarely to be found. Out of average of 100 intakes annually, barely one selection in 2 to 3 years. Same situation from all southern districts of Karnataka. Most of the selected students are from northern districts of Karnataka, which is economically weaker than southern districts.
The reason for this is lack of awareness in the parents. The parents of northern districts of Karnataka know that an average student admitted to SS can become excellent. Hence they put them through rigorous coaching classes so that students can score above the cut off marks required (about 80%) in AISEE. Duration of these coaching classes is for one to two years. Most of students of south are self preparing or try for short term coaching to compete with the long duration trained one’s. “As the preparation – so the results”.
Preparation for AISSEE will be a stepping stone for many other entrance tests in future. If you compare the syllabus of AISSEE with that of Agni veers, NTSE, CDS, AFCAT, SSC -CGL/CHSL, IBPS you can find same subjects and similar topics. Hence writing AISEE builds some primary preparation for future exams.
It is high time our parents wake-up. When students from economically weaker areas can make it, why not from Kodagu. I am ready to arrange training class both online and offline at nominal charges. If you or your child are interested in taking up AISEE, please feel free to get in touch with me. Let us work out a successful strategy together.
Prathvi Uthaiah: 9845013053.
Kodagu Educational and Social Service Trust (KESST) has been running almost free coaching classes for Sainik School Entrance Exam for the past 8 yrs. The coaching classes for (age) eligible children are run in the Lions School Gonikoppa premises from July to January. The children follow the school routine but sit in a separate class where specially trained teachers from KESST conduct classes in Mathematics, English and General Knowledge. While results have been encouraging children barely make the merit cut off which is around 85%. . In addition to their studies in the class their parents need to work with them at home for some more time. We are hopeful that if we persevere more children from Kodagu will join Sainik School Kodagu.
Attached is a photo of the coaching class children in Jan 2026.
Major General Arjun Muthanna (Retd)
Managing Trustee
Kodagu Educational and Social Service Trust (KESST)
Mobile – 9686271311
Intent and Aptitude go hand in hand. Promising students need to be identified at a young age through a structured programme with prominent schools. Perhaps there is merit in organisations like CEF, Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Kodava Samaja run Schools/scholarship programs…. working hand-in-glove with KESST, who could possibly have further inputs/support/mentoring from senior retired officers from the Armed Forces and Para Military Forces.
All assistance should be provided to organisations like KESST to further their objectives. Kodava students should aim to join equally prominent schools like the Rashtriya Military Schools, if they are truly interested in a career with the Armed Forces.
As is the case with all elite educational institutions, competition is fierce and the parents and children need to put in their best efforts.