How smart tech is powering classrooms in 2026
Students have headed back to school with fresh goals and big dreams, and one thing that is just as important as textbooks and uniforms is fast, reliable fibre internet. In 2026, classrooms are powered by AI-assisted study tools, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and interactive video lessons that make learning more engaging and collaborative. With dependable fibre coverage, learners don’t just keep up, they get ahead and unlock a smarter, more flexible ways to learn.
At Vuma, we’re seeing a clear shift in how educational equity is defined. A device alone is no longer enough. Learners, including those in underserved communities, need a robust, uncapped fibre connectivity to fully access e-learning tools, stay competitive, and ensure that where they live does not limit their potential.
A scaffolding for the future:
Connectivity speeds ranging from 20Mbps to 100Mbps provide the bandwidth required by today’s digital learning tools. Uncapped, prepaid models remove the stress of data running out mid-assignment or during online research, allowing learning to continue uninterrupted.
Affordability is equally critical. For less than the cost of a daily commute, households can access connectivity that supports in-depth research, extracurricular online learning, and the digital literacy demanded by the 2026 economy. This goes beyond completing homework - it’s about preparing learners for a digital-first world, where digital fluency is increasingly a prerequisite for opportunity.
Vuma’s commitment to this vision is evident in initiatives such as its Fibre to Schools programme, which connects schools in historically underserved communities with 1Gbps fibre internet. To date, the programme has connected over 980 schools across South Africa.
One beneficiary is Thabo Secondary School in Naledi, Soweto, Gauteng, which has been connected since 2023. Since receiving fibre connectivity, the school has consistently achieved strong academic results, recording a 98% pass rate, which improved to 98.4% in 2025.
This is further strengthened through Vuma’s recent partnership with YouTube, aimed at addressing digital inequality in South African township households. By enabling affordable, high-speed fibre internet bundled with Smart TV streaming, the partnership seeks to empower families to learn, connect, and access digital content from the comfort of their own homes, helping bridge the gap between connectivity and meaningful online participation.
As the new academic year begins, the message is clear: the digital school bag has arrived. In 2026, learners need more than pens and paper to succeed. They need connectivity that keeps pace with their potential, removes technical barriers to learning, and ensures that academic progress accelerates rather than stalls.