Italy Limits Non-Italian Speakers in Classrooms, Bans Full-Face Veils

Italy's conservative government has approved a decree to limit the number of students in classrooms with limited Italian language skills and to ban face-covering Islamic veils, such as burqas and niqabs, in schools.

Premier Giorgia Meloni's administration stated the measures are intended to strengthen integration by promoting language acquisition. The decree, which goes into effect immediately, sets an upper limit of 30% of students lacking sufficient Italian proficiency per classroom. It requires parliamentary endorsement within 60 days. Meloni described the measures on social media as "common-sense" actions that foster genuine integration and provide equal opportunities by avoiding "ghetto" classrooms.

The move comes amid mounting pressure on Meloni's right flank from challenger Roberto Vannacci, a retired army general who has focused on immigration and national identity. Analysts suggest the decree allows Meloni to reaffirm her conservative credentials ahead of potential elections next spring.

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara indicated that local authorities would manage student placements to prevent concentrations of non-Italian speakers. Schools unable to comply could receive exemptions and additional language-support funding. The ministry estimates the decree will affect approximately 1,000 classrooms, or about 0.3% of the national total, primarily impacting those with high numbers of recent arrivals. Students born in Italy, those who attended Italian preschool, or those who have progressed through the school system would be exempt from the cap.

The decree also prohibits burqas and niqabs in schools, while permitting hijabs. This measure is less restrictive than bans implemented in some other European nations, such as France, which prohibits full-face veils in public spaces and conspicuous religious symbols in public schools.

Critics, including educators, unions, and opposition parties, have raised concerns about the practical implementation of the student limits. Some fear the rules could force students to attend schools far from their homes, particularly in areas with large immigrant populations where one school might serve the entire neighborhood. Antonello Giannelli, president of the National Association of Principals, noted the educational validity of the issue but questioned its practical application.

Teachers' unions have criticized the lack of consultation and resources for the measure, arguing that the allocated funding is insufficient for hiring specialized language teachers and cultural mediators. Giovanni Castagno, a primary school teacher, expressed that differences can be opportunities for enrichment, implying that diverse classrooms enhance students' global perspectives.

Data from the Education Ministry shows that students without Italian citizenship constituted 11.2% of Italy's school population in the 2022-23 academic year, with classes exceeding the 30% foreign student threshold accounting for 7.6% of all classes.

Opposition parties have accused the government of politicizing immigration and repackaging existing policies. Center-left leader Elly Schlein criticized the government for using schools to advance a political message on migration. Valditara, however, defended the decree, emphasizing its goal of integration through language acquisition and enhanced educational support. The decree includes provisions for additional teaching resources and language-learning funds for schools with significant numbers of newly arrived foreign students.

Furthermore, parents of foreign students may be required to attend Italian-language courses if language barriers within families contribute to educational or behavioral difficulties. Schools would refer eligible families to social services for support programs. Parents failing to attend could face fines ranging from 200 to 1,000 euros, with exemptions for those with documented age-related, medical, or disability barriers to language learning.