Sunita Somvanshi
Italy’s cabinet approved a school decree on September 24 that limits certain foreign students to 30 percent of first-year classes in public schools and restricts full-face coverings such as burqas and niqabs in school buildings. The measure moves forward from Karmactive’s earlier coverage of the Meloni government’s proposal — it has now received government approval but still requires parliamentary passage to become permanent law.
The Italian government formally approved the school decree on September 24. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara stated approximately 34,000 classes currently have foreign-student populations above 30 percent. The 30 percent limit applies specifically to students who lack sufficient Italian-language integration, not to every foreign national enrolled in Italian schools. Students born in Italy or who have completed at least two years of Italian preschool are exempt at the primary school level. At secondary school level, the criterion involves citizenship and whether the student has completed at least three years in the Italian school system. AP News confirmed parliamentary approval is still required for the decree to become permanent law.
The face-covering restriction targets full-face veils — burqas and niqabs — in school settings. Hijabs, which cover the hair but not the face, are not included in the restriction.
Parents of foreign-born students may see children reassigned to schools outside their immediate neighborhoods to satisfy classroom quotas. Schools may need to use organizational measures and language-support programs to comply with the new rules.
Related Karmactive coverage: Karmactive’s earlier Italy school-rule coverage and previous Meloni school-policy background.
Does Italy's Rule Apply to All Foreign Students?
No. The 30 percent limit applies to students categorized as lacking sufficient Italian-language proficiency under criteria that vary by school level. A student born in Italy or who completed at least two years of Italian preschool is exempt under the primary-school rules. At secondary level, the threshold is at least three years of schooling in the Italian system. The government’s figure of 34,000 classes exceeding the 30 percent share is based on current overall foreign-student enrollment data.
According to recent Eurostat data, Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in the European Union. In rural and suburban areas, foreign-born students make up a growing share of enrollment in many Italian primary schools. How the government will manage compliance in areas with high proportions of foreign-born students has not been addressed in published implementation guidance. For context on European immigration policy and comparable education integration models, see the linked explainers.
The decree still requires parliamentary approval before taking effect as permanent law. Implementation rules for individual schools have not been released. Check back for updates as the parliamentary process proceeds.
Primary source links: integrazionemigranti.gov.it.
