Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has unveiled plans to introduce a ban on burqas and niqabs in schools across Italy, while also proposing a cap on the number of foreign students permitted in each classroom. Speaking at the annual youth festival of her Brothers of Italy party in Rome on September 20, Meloni stated that a draft measure outlining these changes would soon be presented to the Cabinet.
Integration and Classroom Unity at Core of Proposals
Meloni framed the proposed regulations as vital for safeguarding integration and maintaining classroom unity. She emphasized that if only a few children in a class do not speak Italian, they can integrate quickly with peer and teacher support. However, she argued, if a large number, or even a majority, of students do not understand the language, it leads to neglect rather than effective integration.
"Italian children cannot feel like a minority in the classroom," Meloni asserted, addressing concerns about the demographic balance in educational settings. The Prime Minister's announcement signals a tightening of integration policies as Italy approaches its 2027 general election, where immigration and integration are expected to be central campaign issues.
Face Coverings and Student Numbers
Regarding face coverings, Meloni was explicit: "You must go to school with your face uncovered, and in Italy no one, in the name of a real or supposed tradition, can decide that a young woman must hide herself." This policy aims to ensure all students are identifiable and to uphold what the government views as Italian societal norms within educational institutions.
While Meloni did not specify a precise cap for foreign students, current Italian law already suggests a guideline of 30 percent for foreign students in classes and schools. Data from Fondazione ISMU, a research institution, indicates that students who are not Italian citizens currently constitute 11.6 percent of the total student enrollment in Italian schools.
Legislative Path Ahead
The proposed measures, including the ban on burqas and niqabs and the foreign student cap, are expected to be reviewed by the Cabinet. If they require parliamentary approval, lawmakers will then determine the final details, such as specific numerical ceilings, potential exemptions, and the mechanisms for enforcing the veil ban. The move comes amidst political pressure from harder-right rivals, further highlighting the prominence of immigration and integration in Italy's political discourse.