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Italy implements Decree-Law 170/2026 on school reforms
Italy's Decree-Law 170/2026, which entered into force on October 1, introduces significant changes to the national school system. Key provisions include a 30% cap on foreign students in first-year classes for primary, middle, and high schools starting in the 2027/2028 academic year. The decree also renames technical and professional institutes to “Licei Tecnologici” and “Licei Professionali,” while modifying teaching hours for technical tracks.
The legislation has sparked intense debate. Critics and educators argue the 30% threshold is a political measure that ignores actual linguistic needs and classroom complexity. In Milan, city councilors protested the cap with banners stating “Qui nessun* è stranier*” (No one here is a stranger). Some observers claim the decree targets a statistically small group of students and fails to address broader issues like teacher shortages and crumbling infrastructure.
Additionally, the decree includes measures regarding the integration of foreign students and linguistic paths for parents, alongside new rules for the school year's start. The implementation of these rules remains a point of contention among political groups and educational professionals.
Entities
Antonio Tajani · Congresso di Stato · Decreto-Legge 170/2026 · Electrolux · Emilia-Romagna · European Union · Forza Italia · Galati Mamertino · Giorgia Meloni · Giuseppe Valditara · INPS · Istituto per la Sicurezza Sociale
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Senate Culture Commission will begin examining the conversion of decree-law no. 170 into law on October 7.
- [DISPUTED] The Council of Ministers approved a decree-law on September 24, 2026, regarding the 2026/2027 school year. www.parmadaily.it
- [DISPUTED] The measures in the decree are set to take effect starting from the 2027/2028 school year. www.parmadaily.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The decree includes measures for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the integration of foreign students.