Meloni proposes school restrictions on face coverings and foreign student numbers
The proposals, which include compulsory Italian lessons for some parents, would require parliamentary approval before becoming law.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed banning burqas and niqabs in schools, introducing a legal cap on foreign students per class and requiring Italian-language lessons for parents of foreign students judged to have serious difficulties integrating into the school system.
Meloni outlined the measures at a youth festival of her Brothers of Italy party in Rome. The proposals have not been enacted and would require parliamentary approval within 60 days of government approval.
Italy currently permits full-face coverings for religious or cultural reasons, provided the face is revealed when identity checks are required. A 1975 law prohibits helmets or garments that make identification difficult without a justified reason, while a 2008 ruling clarified the position on religious and cultural coverings.
The proposed student cap would add to an existing 30 per cent limit on foreign students per class and school. Meloni did not explain how the new measure would differ from the current restriction. Foreign students account for about 12 per cent of enrolments in Italian schools.
The measures come as immigration is expected to be a central issue ahead of an anticipated 2027 general election. Meloni’s government faces a potential challenge from the further-right National Future party, which has called for restrictions on burqas in schools.
