Nagari Koto Gadang including pioneers in the field of education. In 1856 in this area has been established by the Village School 3-year study period. Early Dutch occupation government has marked that students from Agam, is diligent students, tenacious and smart, especially from the Koto Gadang. Then set up a separate entity called studiefonds (student funding). The foundation was established to raise funds from the villagers to send their children to study in Java, even in the Netherlands.
The spirit of a young child's learning Koto Gadang high and strong support from the community, proved fruitless. According to one report, in 1915, as many as 165 men from Koto Gadang has been working as an employee of the Dutch government. Nearly half (79 people) to work outside the Minangkabau region. A total of 72 people of whom spoke fluent Dutch. It's being a proof of their good education. Up to now there are still many local people, especially the older generation, who is fluent in Dutch.
In 1926 medical school graduates Stovia Jakarta from Minangkabau are 32 people, most of them are citizens of Koto Gadang. Sixteen years later, in 1942 a remarkable surge, as many as 40 residents Koto Gadang Stovia graduated from medical school.
Mochtar Naim 1967 study showed that of the 2,666 residents of Koto Gadang, 467 or 17.5% were university graduates. Of whom 168 people become doctors, engineers be 100, 160 people finished a law degree, and about 10 people doktorandus economic and social science fields other. Next in 1970, as many as 58 more people pass the university. With the achievements of 525 graduates (not including the baccalaureate degree), Koto Tower which has a population of less than 3,000 people, a record unbeaten by villages / anywhere village, as the village has the highest degree even in developed countries as it once did.
No wonder the number of national leaders from Koto Tower, namely Agus Salim, Sutan Sjahril, Syahrir, Ed Zoelferdi and many other national and international figures. Until now had more than 30 sons and daughters Koto Gadang which holds the title of professor, such as Prof Emil Salim, Prof Dr Nuzirwan Acang, Prof Fadil Oenzil, etc. As well as no less than ten sons Koto Gadang also has held the rank of generals and high-ranking officers.
Saturday January 26, 2013, Nagari Koto Gadang again recorded history. Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Ir Tifatul Sembiring dedicate Janjang Koto Gadang. Husks (stairs) along the one kilometer is inspired by the famous Great Wall of China as one of the seven wonders of the world. Because it is long and slender architectural style is somewhat similar to the Great Wall China. Janjang Nagari Koto Gasanf connet towards Ngarai Sianok, a route that has a long history since the colonial era.
This object adds longer an icon for tourism in West Sumatra, particularly Agam district. On the other hand it shows a concern momentum and cohesiveness residents of West Sumatra, both of which are at home, or who are overseas. This building is the result of cooperation existing Minang people in the village and on the shoreline.
by Yongki Salmeno
