A controversial scheme to create special classes for immigrant children has been approved by the lower house of Italy's parliament.
The measure, proposed by the right-wing Northern League Party, would require foreign children to pass a special test before being admitted into schools...
Under the proposal, the children of immigrants would have to sit tests on citizenship and would be placed in "bridge classes" if they failed, where they would study Italian language, law and culture until they could pass the test.
A spokesman for the Northern League said the aim was to guarantee equal opportunities for foreign students and facilitate integration.
But opposition politicians have described it as "an act of the worst xenophobia".
Alright - I understand that adjusting to a new culture can be difficult, especially when you don't speak the language well. And immigrants to the U.S. have to pass similar tests before becoming citizens.
Yet, denying children access to education for not being enough like the locals - that makes me feel queasy.
Thoughts?
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