started · updated
Italy approves school decree capping non-Italian students at 30% per class
The Italian government has approved a new school decree that introduces a 30% cap on non-Italian students in certain first-year classes, effective from the 2027/28 school year. The measure specifically targets students who lack sufficient proficiency in the Italian language. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara defended the move, stating it is designed to prevent the formation of 'ghetto classes' and promote integration, comparing the goal to avoiding segregated schooling systems.
Critics, including Save the Children Italia, have expressed concern that the policy could be discriminatory and undermine the rights of children based on nationality. However, some experts suggest the practical impact may be limited, potentially affecting only a few hundred to a thousand students nationwide, as many foreign-born students in Italy are already integrated into the system and would be exempt from the cap.
The decree also includes financial provisions, such as 21 million euros for textbooks and 20 million euros annually for direct support to families with lower ISEE scores. Additionally, the government has included a ban on full-face veils in classrooms as part of its broader integration and security agenda.
Entities
Costanzo Lanci · Council of Ministers · Florence · Giorgia Meloni · Giuseppe Valditara · Italian Government · Italy · Lorella Camporesi · Milan Polytechnic · Ministry of Economy and Finance · Rimini · Save the Children Italia
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The government policy includes a ban on wearing full-face veils, such as the burqa or niqab, in classrooms. lapiazzarimini.it · www.parmadaily.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Save the Children Italia warned that the measures could lead to discriminatory effects and a regression in the Italian school system's approach to inclusion. www.cartadiroma.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Expert analysis suggests the actual impact on school operations will be limited, affecting only a few hundred to a thousand students nationwide. kagonma-info.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The decree allocates 21 million euros for textbooks and 20 million euros annually for direct contributions to families with an ISEE up to 40,000 euros. ladiscussione.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara stated the decree is balanced and intended to prevent the formation of 'ghetto classes'. www.ilpuntonotizie.it · notiziedi.it · www.stampaparlamento.it · www.calabrianews.it · www.inliberta.it · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] A 30% cap will be applied to non-Italian students in first-year classes starting in the 2027/28 school year. www.micropolisumbria.it · kagonma-info.com