Italy Plans School Ban on Burqa and Niqab; Foreign Student Cap Proposed
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Sunday that her government will soon present a cabinet proposal to prohibit full-face coverings, such as burqas and niqabs, in schools
Italy is preparing new school measures that would ban the wearing of burqas and niqabs, introduce a legal limit on the number of foreign students in individual classrooms and require some parents of foreign students to learn Italian, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Sunday, India Today reported.
Meloni made the announcement at an annual gathering of the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party. She said the proposals would soon be presented to the Cabinet as part of the government's approach to education, language skills and integration. Giorgia Meloni Outlasts Every Italian PM: The Political Journey Behind Her Record Run.
What Is Giorgia Meloni Proposing?
Under the proposed measure, Italy would establish a maximum number of foreign students allowed in each class. However, Meloni did not announce a specific numerical limit.
She said the measure was intended to address situations where a large proportion of students struggle to communicate in Italian, arguing that this could make integration more difficult. 'Congratulations to My Friend': PM Narendra Modi Praises Giorgia Meloni on Becoming Italy's Longest-Serving Prime Minister.
Students who do not hold Italian citizenship currently account for about 11.6% of pupils enrolled in Italian schools, according to data from Fondazione ISMU cited by Reuters. The government also plans to require parents of foreign students facing serious difficulties integrating into the Italian education system to learn Italian.
Burqa And Niqab Restrictions
The proposed legislation would prohibit full-face coverings such as the burqa and niqab in schools. A niqab covers the face while leaving the eyes visible, whereas a burqa covers the face and body. The hijab, by contrast, covers the hair and neck but leaves the face visible.
India Today and Reuters reported that Meloni specifically referred to burqas and niqabs in announcing the proposed school measure. Meloni said students should attend school with their faces uncovered and linked the proposal to equality and integration.
Government Links Measures To Integration
The proposed rules place schools at the centre of Italy's wider debate over migration and integration. Italy's location in the central Mediterranean has made it a major entry point for migrants arriving from North Africa. Migration, asylum policy and the integration of newcomers have remained prominent issues in Italian politics.
Meloni's government has pursued tighter migration policies since taking office in 2022, while also placing greater emphasis on language and cultural integration.
Similar Restrictions Elsewhere In Europe
Italy's proposal comes amid broader European debate over restrictions on full-face coverings. France has a nationwide restriction on concealing the face in public, while Belgium, Denmark and Austria also have restrictions covering face-covering clothing. Switzerland introduced a nationwide face-covering ban in 2025.
The Netherlands has a more limited restriction, introduced in 2019, covering locations including schools, healthcare facilities, government buildings and public transport.
Proposal Still Needs To Become Law
The measures announced by Meloni are proposals and are not yet in force. According to current reporting, the government plans to bring the measure before the Cabinet. If approved, the legislation would then have to go through Italy's parliamentary process before becoming law. The exact foreign-student limit and other implementation details have not yet been announced.
The proposals are expected to keep migration, education, language requirements and religious expression at the centre of political debate in Italy as the government works on the planned legislation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2026 10:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
