Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to ban the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools as part of new measures aimed at integration. The proposal was announced on September 20 at an event organised by the youth wing of Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party in Rome.
Meloni said the government would soon present the measure to the Council of Ministers. If approved, it would then need parliamentary approval before becoming law. The proposal specifically concerns face-covering garments such as the burqa and niqab. It does not target the hijab, which leaves the face uncovered.
The planned school rules are part of a wider package. The government also wants to set a legal limit on the number of foreign students in each classroom and require parents of foreign students facing serious integration difficulties to learn Italian. Meloni said language skills and understanding Italian society are important for integration.
Foreign citizens currently account for about 11.6% of students enrolled in Italian schools, according to data cited by Reuters from the ISMU Foundation. Italy already has rules concerning foreign student numbers, but their application has varied.
The proposed ban has not yet taken effect, and its final details will depend on the legislation presented by the government and its passage through parliament.
