'Being a mirror': indigenous woman takes Enem at age 34 to inspire her children in MS

The National High School Examination (Enem) 2026 brings together 62.2 thousand candidates in Mato Grosso do Sul. This Sunday (8), the first day of the tests, among the participants is Patrícia Araújo, 34 years old. An indigenous woman, born in Aquidauana, she is looking for a place in a logistics degree. The main motivation to continue studying is his children, to whom he wants to serve as an example.

Of the total number of people registered in the state, 39.1 thousand were entitled to free registration, while 23 thousand paid for their participation. Across Brazil, more than 5 million people signed up for the exam, with 3.4 million registering for free and 1.6 million paying.

The tests are administered on two consecutive Sundays, November 8th and 15th. In Mato Grosso do Sul, the gates open at 11am and close at noon, local time. The application starts at 12:30 pm.

Patrícia wants to be an example for her children

A resident of Campo Grande for over 11 years, Patrícia is taking a technical course in logistics at the Federal Institute. The training sparked an interest in continuing studies and earning a degree in the same field.

“My technical logistics course motivated me a lot,” he said. She explained that studying at the Federal Institute was an old dream. For the test, he dedicated more time to preparing for the essay and reading current affairs.

At 34 years old, Patrícia says that her children are the main reason for not giving up her studies. She wants them to follow their path and find in their mother a reference to pursue their own goals.

"My motivation is my children. I need to gain experience for them, thus, in a way, mirroring me. I have to be a mirror for my children", he stated.

Brother-in-law also took the Enem

Patrícia participated in the exam alongside her brother-in-law, Daniel Gomes Silva, 26 years old. Originally from Costa Rica, he has lived in Campo Grande for eight years.

Military, Daniel studies theology and said that this is, as far as he remembers, his first participation in Enem. Like his sister-in-law, he took advantage of this Sunday's test to seek an opportunity through education.

Registration in Mato Grosso do Sul

Mato Grosso do Sul is part of the Central-West region, which has 393.1 thousand registered for Enem 2026. Of this total, 238.5 thousand were entitled to free registration and 154.6 thousand paid for registration.

In the state, candidates return to the test sites next Sunday (15), for the second day of application.