The measures focus on Italian-language integration, classroom composition and face-covering rules, while opposition groups and child-rights advocates have raised concerns about their potential impact.
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Italy’s government has approved a new education decree introducing restrictions on face coverings in schools and a 30% limit on certain students who do not have sufficient Italian-language or prior schooling backgrounds.
The measures were approved by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet on September 24, with the government presenting them as part of a broader effort to improve integration and prevent classrooms from becoming concentrated with students who need additional language support.
The decree includes a ban on burqas and niqabs in schools, additional Italian-language support and requirements for parents in cases where a child’s serious integration difficulties are linked to persistent language barriers.
The package has already generated criticism from opposition politicians and child-rights organisations.
What the New School Rules Say
The 30% provision does not simply apply to every student who lacks Italian citizenship.
Under the detailed framework, the restriction focuses on certain students in first-year classes who have not had sufficient exposure to Italy’s education system.
In primary schools, the rule concerns students who are not Italian citizens and who were not born in Italy or have not attended at least two years of kindergarten.
For lower and upper secondary schools, the provision applies to students without Italian citizenship who have not successfully completed at least three years of the national education system.
The government says the approach is intended to prevent concentrations of students requiring substantial language assistance in the same classroom.
Government Says Italian Language Is Central to Integration
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara has argued that insufficient Italian-language skills can affect students’ educational progress.
According to Valditara, around 34,000 school classes currently have a foreign-student population above 30%. He said the government wants Italian-language proficiency to play a greater role in helping students integrate into the education system.
Meloni has similarly described the policy as a way to prevent what her government calls segregated or “ghetto” classrooms and to give students more equal opportunities.
The government has also proposed additional language-learning support for students and their families.
Parents Could Be Required to Attend Italian Classes
The decree also places responsibilities on parents in cases involving serious integration difficulties.
Where persistent language barriers within a family are considered to be obstructing a child’s integration at school, the school can involve social services.
Parents can then be required to attend free Italian-language courses.
Failure to comply can result in an administrative fine ranging from €200 to €1,000, according to Italian reporting on the approved provisions.
Earlier drafts reportedly contained a more severe provision concerning the placement of children outside the family when parents failed to participate in language programmes. That provision was subsequently changed in the final framework described after the cabinet meeting.
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Burqa and Niqab Banned in Schools
The decree separately introduces restrictions on face coverings during school activities.
The provision covers curricular and extracurricular activities as well as school-family activities, with exceptions for specified health or security reasons.
The ban includes the burqa and niqab, garments that cover the face.
Violations can attract an administrative penalty of between €200 and €1,000. When the violation involves a minor, the penalty can be applied to the parent or person with parental responsibility.
Meloni has defended the measure on security and integration grounds.
She has argued that requiring the face to remain visible in schools is connected to individual rights and participation in the educational environment.
The 30% Rule Is Not Entirely New
Italy has previously had rules concerning the concentration of foreign students in classrooms.
A 2010 ministerial memorandum established a 30% guideline, but the system allowed flexibility depending on students’ Italian-language skills and other circumstances.
The new government measure seeks to establish a more defined statutory framework, particularly for students entering the education system without sufficient prior exposure to Italian schooling.
The distinction is important because the government’s new rules are not designed to automatically move every foreign-born or foreign-national student out of a classroom once the number reaches 30%.
Opposition Criticises the Policy
The measures have drawn opposition from political groups and organisations concerned about their effect on children.
Opposition leader Elly Schlein accused the government of launching what she described as a new “witch hunt” at the expense of children.
The criticism centres partly on whether limits based on nationality and language background could result in students being separated from their peers.
Save the Children also warned that moving children to different schools or institutions because of nationality or limited Italian proficiency could contribute to unequal educational experiences.
The government, however, argues that the measures are intended to improve integration rather than exclude students.
Why the Issue Has Become Politically Significant
Migration and integration have become prominent issues in Italian politics, and the new education rules arrive as the country moves toward its next general election.
Meloni’s government has linked the measures to the functioning of schools and the need for students to acquire Italian-language skills.
The proposal has also attracted attention from parties further to the right.
The National Future (FN) party had called for restrictions on burqa use in schools in July. The party is outside Meloni’s governing coalition and has emerged as a challenger on the Italian right.
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What the New Rules Mean for Schools
The policy combines several separate measures rather than introducing a single restriction.
MeasureProposed ruleForeign student cap30% limit for specified students in first-year classesPrimary schoolsApplies to certain non-Italian citizens without sufficient Italian schooling backgroundSecondary schoolsApplies to specified students without at least three years of successful national schoolingFace coveringsBurqa and niqab prohibited during school activitiesLanguage supportAdditional Italian-language learning measuresParent language coursesCan be required where serious language barriers affect a child’s integrationParent non-complianceFines of €200–€1,000Face-covering violationsFines of €200–€1,000, with parents liable when the violation involves a minor
Italy’s Education Debate Moves Beyond Language
The decree brings together questions about language education, classroom composition, parental participation, religious dress and integration.
The government says stronger Italian-language skills and limits on concentration will help schools provide a common educational environment.
Critics have questioned whether measures based on nationality and language could create divisions among students.
The practical impact will depend on how schools apply the new rules and how the government implements the language-support and classroom-placement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Italy banned in schools?
Italy’s new school decree prohibits burqas and niqabs and other face coverings that prevent identification, subject to specified health and security exceptions.
Is Italy banning all foreign students from making up more than 30% of a class?
No. The rule targets specified students in first-year classes based on citizenship and their previous exposure to the Italian education system. It does not simply apply to every foreign-born student.
What happens if parents do not attend required Italian classes?
Where authorities determine that persistent language barriers are seriously affecting a child’s school integration, parents can be required to attend free Italian courses. Non-compliance can result in fines of €200 to €1,000.
Why has Italy introduced the 30% classroom limit?
The government says the measure is intended to support Italian-language learning, improve educational integration and prevent excessive concentration of students requiring language assistance in individual classes.
What has the opposition said?
Opposition leader Elly Schlein criticised the policy, while Save the Children warned that separating children based on nationality or Italian-language proficiency could produce unequal educational experiences.
When was the decree approved?
Italy’s Council of Ministers approved the school decree on September 24, 2026.
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