Last weekend, sixteen students from Centro Educativo João Paulo II took part in the annual entrance exam of the Federal Institute of Bahia (IFBA). The exam, which brings together hundreds of young people from across the region, was held at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), on the Ondina campus. The students traveled together by car and van, accompanied by the pedagogical coordinator Alice, mathematics teacher Priscila, and with the support of teacher Mateus Bispo.

Participating in this exam was a remarkable moment, especially since it was the first major test for many of them. IFBA is one of the most renowned technical institutions in Brazil, offering the opportunity to pursue high school education alongside technical training, and later, higher education.

Anxiety and nervousness soon gave way to satisfaction and pride, as it is not common for teenagers from the suburbs to occupy spaces like this in education. After the exam, the students worked with their teachers to review the questions. Everyone showed great effort and a genuine desire to learn, reflecting their commitment to building new paths through education.

More than just a test, this experience represents the recognition that education can open doors and transform lives. Each student who dreams of studying at IFBA carries the hope of a new story, one built with effort, courage, and the support of educators who believe in the power of holistic education. 

Centro Educativo João Paulo II believes that encouraging and supporting students’ dreams is essential for them to become the protagonists of their own journeys. It is through opportunities like this that we reaffirm our mission: to educate conscious, autonomous, and confident young people, capable of achieving the future they aspire to.