Italy approves school decree with student quotas and language mandates

Italian school decree student integration foreign student quotas educational reform language requirements

The Italian government has approved a new school decree (DL 170) that introduces several structural changes to the national education system. A central and controversial measure establishes a 30% cap on students with non-Italian citizenship in certain first-year classes, effective from the 2027/2028 school year. This limit applies to students who have not completed a specific number of years within the Italian school system, aiming to facilitate linguistic integration.

The decree also mandates that foreign parents learn Italian to participate in school life, with potential fines for non-compliance. Additionally, it prohibits the wearing of face coverings, such as the burqa, in classrooms, carrying fines of up to 1,000 euros.

Other provisions include the removal of the annual renewal requirement for Individualized Educational Plans (PEI), increased funding for orientation and tutoring, and the introduction of optional Latin in middle schools starting in 2027. The decree also cancels tax credits for school staff working in mountain areas for the years 2026 and 2027, a move criticized by opposition parties as a penalty for teachers in disadvantaged areas.

Entities

Council of Ministers · Giorgia Meloni · Giuseppe Valditara · Italy · Massimo Arcangeli · Matteo Renzi · Meloni Government · Sergio Mattarella

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Senator Matteo Renzi has called for the introduction of a fourteenth month salary for teachers to combat the rising cost of living. www.tecnicadellascuola.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] The government is canceling the tax credit for school staff working in mountain areas for the years 2026 and 2027. www.vocedellascuola.it
[● 4 SOURCES] A new school decree introduces a 30% cap on students with non-Italian citizenship in first-year classes starting in the 2027/2028 school year. www.blunote.it · ilgiornaledellazio.it · risoluto.it · www.scuola7.it
[● 3 SOURCES] Foreign parents must learn Italian to participate in school life, with potential fines for non-compliance. www.gildavenezia.it · ilgiornaledellazio.it · www.scuola7.it
[● 3 SOURCES] The decree introduces a ban on wearing the burqa in classrooms, with fines up to 1,000 euros. www.lercio.it · risoluto.it · www.scuola7.it