Italy Bans Burqas, Niqabs in Schools, Puts a Cap on Foreign Students
- Italy's cabinet adopted a decree-law banning face coverings in schools and limiting non-Italian speakers to 30% per classroom
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the measures at a Brothers of Italy youth event before her cabinet approved them on Thursday
- Fines of up to $1,140 await those who breach the new rules, though parliament must ratify the decree within 60 days
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Italy's cabinet has approved a decree-law banning the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools and setting a 30 per cent ceiling on the number of non-Italian-speaking pupils in classrooms, with the rules set to take effect from next year.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni first signalled the move on Sunday at an event held for the youth wing of her nationalist conservative Brothers of Italy (FdI) party. Her cabinet formally adopted the decree on Thursday, giving it immediate legal force.
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However, parliament must ratify the measures within 60 days for them to remain on the books.
Anyone found breaking the rules could face a fine of up to 1,000 euros, equivalent to roughly $1,140.
Meloni defends the measures
Writing on her official X account, Meloni framed the decree as a matter of practicality rather than division, saying the tools to learn the Italian language and to "stop" burqas and niqabs in schools represented "common sense that do not divide."
"This is the direction we want to continue to follow: a school that integrates without giving up on rules, that supports those who have more difficulties and that puts everyone in a position to start from the same point," she wrote.
The measures still require the signature of President Sergio Mattarella, who this week signalled reservations, saying he was wary of any steps that could erect barriers to education.
Political context behind the decree
Critics of the government argue that the timing of the decree is driven less by educational policy than by electoral calculation. Opponents say Meloni's administration is attempting to neutralise the growing popularity of the far-right National Future (FN) party, led by former army general Roberto Vannacci, ahead of next year's elections.
FN had placed schools at the centre of its campaign platform, which advocates what it calls "remigration," and had publicly called for a crackdown on face coverings in schools as far back as July.
AbdulRasheed Hussain, a policy analyst based in Nigeria, told Legit.ng:
“This policy reflects a broader debate taking place across several European countries about how schools should balance integration, cultural diversity, national identity, and equal access to education. Supporters may view such measures as tools for fostering social cohesion and language acquisition, while critics are likely to question their impact on individual freedoms and inclusiveness. The long-term significance will depend on whether these policies improve educational outcomes and integration without creating new barriers for minority communities.”
Items not allowed in Italy
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli strictly enforces border rules, and travellers should never assume that “small” infractions will be overlooked. Ignorance of the law is not a valid defence in Italy, Roafly advised.
Source: Legit.ng
