Cabinet approved Italy’s draft decree setting a 30% cap in primary classes for non-Italian pupils born abroad or those with under two years’ nursery schooling in Italy from 2027-28. Face-covering wearers at school could be fined up to €1,000; the president must sign the decree.
President Sergio Mattarella said this week he was wary of barriers to education. If demand exceeds the cap, authorities must redistribute pupils among nearby schools, considering family needs and access to education, but the draft gives no practical details. Principals say enforcement would be difficult in areas with large immigrant populations, particularly in northern Italy. ISMU Foundation estimates 900,000 foreign students attend Italian schools, 11.6% of all pupils.
Meloni had also said at a Sunday rally that parents of children who do not speak Italian would have to take language courses. Opponents said the new rules were meant to counter National Future, a rival founded in February by former army general Roberto Vannacci and polling at around 8% ahead of next year’s election. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein called the decree shameful and accused Meloni of hiding public-school problems behind an ideological banner; Meloni said the measures would foster integration.
