Italy passes school decree setting student language limits and veil bans

What Happened

Italy's government passed a decree on Thursday, September 24, 2026, to cap foreign students with limited Italian language skills at 30 percent per classroom and ban face-covering Islamic veils in schools. The decree took effect immediately but needs approval from parliament within 60 days, where Premier Giorgia Meloni's coalition holds a majority. Foreign students born in Italy or those who attended local preschools are exempt from the cap, and hijabs remain allowed while full-face veils like burqas and niqabs are prohibited. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara stated the rule will impact about 1,000 classrooms, which is roughly 0.3 percent of the national total.

Reactions And Concerns

Premier Meloni defended the rules on social media as common-sense measures to foster integration and prevent ghetto classrooms. However, critics, teachers' unions, and opposition parties argued the policy turns immigration into a political issue and mirrors a 2010 Education Ministry guideline. Antonello Giannelli, president of the National Association of Principals, warned that students in immigrant-heavy neighbourhoods might be forced to attend schools far from home. Critics also noted that full-face veils are rarely seen in Italian classrooms, making that part of the ban largely symbolic. Centre-left leader Elly Schlein accused the government of using schools to push a political message.

Funding And New Rules

The government allocated a 14-million-euro, or 16-million-dollar, funding package to help schools comply, alongside exemptions for institutions unable to meet the target. Education Minister Valditara said schools with newly arrived foreign students exceeding 20 percent will get extra teaching resources, while those exceeding 30 percent will receive additional language funds. Furthermore, the decree requires certain parents of foreign students to attend Italian language courses if language barriers cause educational or behavioural problems. Parents who fail to attend face fines ranging from 200 to 1,000 euros, though exemptions apply for age, medical, or disability reasons.