Italy implements new school regulations and regional infrastructure plans

Italy is addressing educational challenges through both regional infrastructure initiatives and new national legislation. In the Gallura region, the provincial school observatory is launching a data-driven initiative to create registries for students and school buildings. This effort aims to address critical shortages in classroom space, particularly in Olbia, where population growth has led to double shifts. Local officials have already approved the purchase of a new building to provide ten additional classrooms for the Scientific High School.

Nationally, a new school decree approved by the Council of Ministers has introduced controversial measures regarding foreign students. The decree imposes a 30% cap on the number of students per class who were not born in Italy or have not attended local preschools. To support schools unable to meet this limit, 17.5 million euros have been allocated for Italian language reinforcement. Additionally, the decree mandates that parents of students struggling with integration undergo Italian language training to avoid fines, and it prohibits the wearing of the burqa or niqab in classrooms. The measures have faced criticism from political opposition, including Elly Schlein of the Democratic Party, who argues the decree ignores concrete systemic issues like building conditions and teacher salaries.