João Marcos

At 17, João Marcos Almeida dos Santos, from Arapiraca, Alagoas, is already reshaping the educational landscape for students in public schools. Coming from a humble background — his mother a teen mom, his father a school dropout — João and his sister are the first in their family to pursue higher education. Aware of the systemic barriers faced by students like himself, João turned frustration into innovation. 

While serving as Director of Technology and Innovation in his student union, he developed a digital platform to support public school students preparing for Brazil’s ENEM (National High School Exam) and other admissions tests. The tool not only offers study resources but also connects users to programs like EJA (Education for Youth and Adults) and school acceleration initiatives.

Recognized in the National Education and Youth Plans, the project is now evolving to include mental health support and AI tools focused on equity. João believes education is the most powerful tool for social change — and dreams of inspiring a generation of students to reclaim their futures through knowledge and collective action.