Italy’s Prime Minister has announced plans to introduce measures that would ban the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools and limit the number of foreign students allowed in classrooms.
Meloni made the announcement on Sunday while addressing the youth wing of her nationalist conservative Brothers of party at the Gioventù Nazionale national festival in Rome.
She said the proposed measure would also make Italian language lessons compulsory for parents of foreign students facing “serious difficulties integrating into the school system”.
“For us, anyone who comes to Italy and wants to build their future here must learn our language, understand our culture, and respect our rules,” Meloni said to a standing ovation. “It is the only serious way to welcome them.”
The proposed legislation would establish a maximum number of foreign students permitted in each classroom, although the government has not yet specified what that limit would be. Reuters reported that foreign citizens currently account for about 11.6% of school enrolments in Italy.
Meloni specifically referred to the burqa, which covers the body and face, and the niqab, which covers the face while leaving the eyes visible. Her remarks, as reported by AP and Reuters, did not include the hijab, the headscarf worn by some women.
The measures are being presented by Meloni’s government as part of a wider focus on , language skills and respect for Italian rules and institutions.
The proposal has not yet become law. Once approved by the government, it would require parliamentary approval within 60 days to pass into .
Meloni has maintained a hardline position on migration since becoming prime minister, while her political standing in Europe has evolved during her time in office. Migration and integration remain contentious issues in Italy, particularly amid continuing debate over religious symbols, immigration and .
Her latest announcement comes ahead of a general election expected next year. The government has also been pursuing other policies aimed at addressing domestic concerns, including an exemption from a affecting small and medium-sized cars and scooters.
Earlier this month, Meloni’s conservative administration became Italy’s longest-serving uninterrupted government since the .
The school proposals now face the next stage of the legislative process, with their precise limits and final wording yet to be determined.
