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Italy approves school reforms including foreign student cap and face-covering ban
The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has approved a decree-law introducing significant reforms to the national school system aimed at fostering integration. A key measure is a 30% cap on the number of certain foreign students in first-year classes, set to take effect from the 2027/2028 school year. This limit specifically applies to non-Italian students who were not born in Italy or have not completed at least two years of preschool or three years of the Italian school system.
The decree also implements a ban on face-covering garments, such as burqas and niqabs, during all school activities. To support linguistic integration, the government plans to offer mandatory Italian language courses for parents of students facing language difficulties, with administrative fines of up to 1,000 euros for non-compliance.
The measures have sparked intense political debate and public protests in Rome. Opponents, including opposition leaders and education unions, have criticized the decree as “mere propaganda” and a discriminatory measure that could create “ghetto classes.” Protesters argue the policy targets children based on background rather than addressing structural issues like classroom overcrowding and insufficient funding for intercultural mediators.
Entities
Council of Ministers · Fratelli d'Italia · Giorgia Meloni · Giuseppe Valditara · Italian Council of Ministers · Italy · Save the Children · Sergio Mattarella · USB education union
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 16 SOURCES] The 30% limit applies to non-Italian students in primary school who were not born in Italy or did not attend at least two years of preschool. indtoday.com · index.hu · www.roars.it · www.veneziatoday.it · elbasanion.al · +10 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] The Italian Council of Ministers approved a decree-law on September 24 regarding school integration measures. minanews.net · www.monza-news.it · www.vocedellascuola.it · www.futuro-europa.it · www.roars.it · +18 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The decree bans the use of burqas and niqabs during curricular and extracurricular school activities. www.monza-news.it · indtoday.com · minanews.net · www.perfil.com · elbasanion.al · +7 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The government plans to offer Italian language courses for parents to support student integration. minanews.net · www.monza-news.it · www.unimpresa.it · elbasanion.al · indtoday.com · +4 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara reported that roughly 34,000 classes currently have a foreign student share exceeding 30%. indtoday.com · minanews.net · www.maalaimalar.com · www.unimpresa.it
- [● 10 SOURCES] A 30% cap will be applied to certain foreign students in first-year classes starting from the 2027/2028 school year. www.monza-news.it · indtoday.com · www.roars.it · www.edscuola.eu · www.veneziatoday.it · +5 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Fines for violations committed by minors will be imposed on their parents or legal guardians. www.monza-news.it · indtoday.com · minanews.net · elbasanion.al · www.puterea.ro · +1 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Administrative fines for violating the face-covering ban range from 200 to 1,000 euros. www.monza-news.it · indtoday.com · minanews.net · www.perfil.com · elbasanion.al · +3 more