The Italian government has implemented a decree establishing limits on newly enrolled migrant students in classrooms while also prohibiting certain religious garments in school settings. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, characterized the measures as practical integration tools rather than divisive policies. The decree specifies that classrooms may contain no more than 30% of students who lack adequate Italian language proficiency, and includes provisions requiring parents whose children struggle with language acquisition to participate in free Italian language programs. Non-compliance with these requirements could result in fines reaching €1,000. The policy is slated to take effect during the 2027-28 academic year and is projected to impact approximately 0.3% of classrooms nationwide.
Rights organizations and political analysts have linked the measures to political calculations ahead of anticipated elections in spring 2027. A new far-right party, Futuro Nazionale, led by former general Roberto Vannacci, has gained ground in recent polling and appears to be attracting voters who previously supported Meloni’s coalition. Observers suggest the government may be seeking to recapture support by adopting more hardline positions on migration and cultural issues.
Critics contend that the measures address problems that are not substantive in Italian schools. Campaign groups noted that approximately 60% of students classified as foreign were actually born in Italy but face citizenship barriers. They also pointed out that burqas and niqabs are rarely observed in Italian educational settings. Opposition figures characterized the government’s focus on migration as a distraction from pressing education system challenges including infrastructure deterioration, textbook costs, and teacher compensation levels.
The education ministry indicated that students born and educated in Italy, or those who completed substantial portions of their schooling domestically, would be exempt from the new restrictions. Policy experts suggested the government may continue emphasizing migration-related issues in coming months while downplaying other initiatives that have faced judicial challenges or budgetary constraints.
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