Italy to ban burqas in schools

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy announced plans to ban burqas and niqabs in schools, as well as limit the number of foreign students per classroom, according to a report on Sunday. The far-right premier stated that a maximum number of foreign students will be set in each classroom, and parents of students facing integration challenges will be required to learn Italian.

This move comes as Italy prepares for a general election next year and is seen as a key campaign issue due to the country's role as a frontline migration nation. Meloni informed the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party about the upcoming measure to be presented to the cabinet. The anti-immigrant League party, which is part of Meloni's coalition, had already proposed a bill to the Senate in the previous year, aiming to ban helmets or garments except in specific circumstances such as sporting events or places of worship.

Currently, Italy lacks an explicit law banning burqas, but a 1975 statute prohibits the use of helmets or garments that hinder identification without a valid reason. In 2008, Italy's highest administrative court ruled that full-face veils can be worn for religious or cultural reasons, provided the face is visible during identity verification.

Foreign students comprise around 12% of the total enrollment in Italian schools, with the limit set at 30% of a class and school enrollment since 2010. However, this restriction can be lifted for foreign students with sufficient language skills or when their Italian language proficiency is poor.