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[POLITICS] · Italy · 56 sources

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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

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Sources

Violenza nelle scuole [www.basnews.it]
Cronache dai Palazzi [www.futuro-europa.it]
Decreto scuola, cosa cambia [www.gildavenezia.it]
L’école du racisme [www.valledaostaglocal.it]