Italy Caps Non-Italian Speakers at 30% Per Class, Bans Face Veils in Schools

Italy's government passed a decree on Thursday setting a 30% cap on students lacking sufficient Italian proficiency in any single classroom and banning face-covering Islamic veils in schools. Premier Giorgia Meloni described the measures as common-sense steps to foster integration and avoid "ghetto classrooms."

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara stated the rule affects roughly 1,000 classrooms, about 0.3% of the national total, primarily those with high concentrations of recently arrived students. The decree takes effect immediately but requires parliamentary endorsement within 60 days.

“They are common-sense measures that do not divide but help foster genuine integration, avoiding ghetto classrooms and giving all students equal opportunities.”

Critics, including educators and opposition parties, warn the rules could force students to attend schools far from their neighborhoods. Analysts suggest the move bolsters Meloni's standing with her conservative base ahead of possible elections next spring.

The decree absorbs a non-binding 2010 guideline but makes the limit mandatory. Exemptions apply for primary pupils with at least two years of Italian preschool and secondary students with three successful years in the national system. Schools unable to comply may receive exemptions and extra language-support funding.

Observers note the government used an emergency decree-law despite the measure only applying from the 2027/2028 school year. Technical details on how Italian proficiency will be assessed and how redistribution will work remain undefined.