Giorgia Meloni plans burqa, niqab ban in Italian schools and restrictions on foreign students in classrooms | Today’s news
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to introduce measures that would ban burkinis and niqabs in schools and limit the number of foreign students allowed in classrooms.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni will ban burqas and niqabs in schools and classrooms
Meloni made the announcement on Sunday when she addressed the youth wing of her nationalist conservative party Brothers of Italy at the Gioventù Nazionale national festival in Rome.
She said the proposed measure would also make learning Italian compulsory for parents of foreign students who face “serious problems 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 great applause. “It’s the only serious way to welcome them.”
What Meloni’s proposed school measures include
The proposed legislation would set a maximum number of foreign students allowed in each class, although the government has not yet specified what that limit would be. Reuters reported that foreigners currently make up about 11.6% of school enrollment in Italy.
Meloni was specifically referring to the burqa, which covers the body and face, and the niqab, which covers the face while leaving the eyes visible. Her remarks, AP and Reuters reported, did not include the hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women.
The measure is being put forward by Meloni’s government as part of a broader focus on integration, 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 be passed into legislation.
Meloni’s position on migration
Meloni has taken a hardline stance 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, especially amid the ongoing debate over religious symbols, immigration and citizenship.
Her latest statement comes ahead of a general election expected next year. The government is also pushing other policies to address domestic issues, including property tax exemptions for small and medium-sized cars and scooters.
Earlier this month, Meloni’s conservative administration became Italy’s longest-serving uninterrupted government since World War II.
The school proposals now face the next stage of the legislative process, with their exact limits and final wording yet to be determined.
