Italy to Propose School Face-Covering Ban and Foreign Student Limits

New Proposals

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced plans to introduce a measure that will ban burqas and niqabs in schools and limit the number of foreign students in classrooms. She made the announcement on Sunday in Rome during the national festival of the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party, where she also stated that Italian language lessons will become compulsory for parents of foreign students who struggle to integrate.

Rules and Law

Meloni told the crowd that people coming to Italy must learn the language, understand the culture, and respect local rules. The ban specifically covers the burqa and niqab, but does not include the hijab. Once the government approves the measure, it will need to clear parliament within 60 days to become law.

Political Context

Meloni leads a nationalist conservative party and has a long history of strict policies on migration. Her conservative administration recently became Italy's longest-serving uninterrupted government since World War II. She is also introducing other policies, such as property tax exemptions on small cars and scooters, ahead of a general election next year.