Italy Sets Classroom Cap on Students Lacking Italian, Bans Full-Face Veils

Italy's government approved a decree on Thursday placing a ceiling on the share of students with limited Italian-language proficiency in any single classroom and prohibiting full-face Islamic veils in schools.

Under the plan, no more than 30% of a classroom may consist of foreign students who lack sufficient Italian. Burqas and niqabs are barred from schools, while hijabs remain permitted — a narrower restriction than those adopted in some other European countries.

Premier Giorgia Meloni described the package on social media as "common-sense measures that do not divide but help foster genuine integration, avoiding ghetto classrooms and giving all students equal opportunities." Her conservative coalition, which holds a parliamentary majority, has backed the move.

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said local school authorities will coordinate student placements to prevent concentrations of non-Italian-speaking pupils. Schools unable to comply may seek exemptions and additional language-support funding.

He estimated the cap would affect roughly 1,000 classrooms — about 0.3% of the national total — mainly those with high concentrations of recently arrived students with little or no Italian. Students born in Italy, those who attended Italian preschool, or those already progressing through the school system would be exempt.

The decree takes effect immediately but must be endorsed by parliament within 60 days.

Practical doubts

School principals questioned the feasibility of the measure in areas with large migrant populations. Antonello Giannelli, president of the National Association of Principals, said the educational rationale was sound but hard to implement, noting that some neighbourhoods are home to a single school and that young children can hardly travel kilometres from home.

Teachers' unions criticised what they called a lack of consultation and resources, arguing that the 14-million-euro ($16 million) funding package would not cover the specialised language teachers and cultural mediators needed. One primary school teacher in central Rome, Giovanni Castagno, said foreign students generally enrich the classroom's view of the world.

Education Ministry data show students without Italian citizenship made up 11.2% of the school population in 2022-23, while classes with more than 30% foreign students accounted for 7.6% of the total.

Parental language courses

The decree adds teaching resources for schools where newly arrived foreign students exceed 20% of enrolment, and extra language-learning funds for those above the 30% threshold. It also requires some parents of foreign students to attend Italian-language courses where language barriers within families contribute to educational or behavioural difficulties.

Schools would refer eligible families to social services, which could enrol them in tailored programmes through adult education centres. Parents who fail to attend could face fines of 200 to 1,000 euros, with exemptions for certified age-related, medical or disability-related barriers.

Opposition parties said the 30% threshold largely mirrors guidance the Education Ministry issued in 2010, accusing the government of repackaging existing policy rather than investing in struggling schools. Centre-left leader Elly Schlein said schools were being used to advance a political message on migration. Valditara rejected the criticism, saying the aim is integration through language acquisition and stronger educational support.

Critics also noted that full-face veils are rarely seen in Italian classrooms, arguing the provision risks becoming symbolic rather than educational. The decree arrives as Meloni faces pressure on her right from retired army Gen. Roberto Vannacci, who has sought to capitalise on voter concerns over immigration and national identity. With elections possible as early as next spring, analysts say the measures let the premier reassert her credentials on issues central to her base, even though their practical impact is likely to be limited.