A primary school in Mestre, in Venice metropolitan areaThe case has become a central point of national debate following the revelation that, among 61 students enrolled in the first year, only two have Italian ancestry spanning several generations. Approximately ten hold Italian citizenship, but the majority of students are of foreign origin.
Mestre is home to the majority of the resident population of the Venetian capital and concentrates urban services outside the historical and tourist area of the lagoon. In practice, it is considered an administrative city.
The data was released by Corriere della Sera and generated immediate reactions. The president of the school's Board of Directors expressed concern about the formation of a predominantly non-Italian-speaking environment, which, according to him, could hinder integration and collective learning. For some, the situation represents a risk of isolation instead of promoting effective multicultural coexistence.
Italian families avoid public school.
Another aspect highlighted was the choice of other schools, including private ones, by Italian families. According to the Council, many local residents enrolled their children in different institutions, which contributed to the current class composition.
The school principal chose not to comment on the case, stating that her priority is to preserve a calm environment for the students.
Vannacci criticizes the system and speaks of "Italians who are foreigners at home."
The episode quickly became political. General Roberto Vannacci, known for his conservative views, criticized the education system and the state's model of welcoming foreigners. According to the Member of the European Parliament from the Lega political party, "Italians pay twice: with taxes to maintain free schooling and healthcare for foreigners, and then with private schooling for their own children."
Vannacci further stated that, with the current social welfare model, immigration will continue to grow and "Italians will become foreigners in their own country."
Positive experiences in everyday life
In contrast to the criticism, some Italian families who chose this same school report positive experiences. One mother stated that her son "is happy and well-integrated" and that she will probably enroll his younger brother in the same school. For her, Diversity is an educational value.
According to the testimony, after an initial phase with language difficulties, the students managed to form bonds and participate normally in the school routine.
National data shows an increase in foreign students.
Mestre's case reflects a national trend. According to official data from the 2023/2024 school year, foreign students represent 11,6% of the total in Italian schools, above the proportion of immigrants residing in the country, which is 8,9%. In total, there are more than 931 students with foreign citizenship, of which 607 were born in Italy.
The most common nationalities among students are Romanian, Albanian, Moroccan, Chinese, and Egyptian. Despite the numerical growth, educational integration still faces challenges: only 32,9% of foreign students go on to high school, while the majority go to technical or vocational schools.
This scenario fuels an ongoing debate between those who see a risk of ghettoization and those who defend multiculturalism as a social and educational value.
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