Italy to ban veils in schools, limit foreign students per class, Meloni says

Italy is set to ban face coverings in schools and limit the number of foreign students per class, according to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The right-wing leader made the announcement at a youth event organized by her party, emphasizing her stance on immigration and the integration of migrants, particularly those from Muslim-majority countries.

This move comes as Italy, situated in a strategic location for migrant arrivals in the Mediterranean, faces significant challenges in managing migration and establishing effective integration policies. Meloni suggested that a decision will be presented to the Cabinet to set a cap on the number of foreign students per classroom. She also proposed requiring parents of foreign students to learn Italian if their children face significant integration difficulties, and banning burqas and niqabs in schools.

Meloni argued that if only one student in a class struggles with the language, they can benefit from their peers and teachers; however, when a majority of students lack proficiency, it becomes a matter of neglect rather than integration. Currently, foreign students make up 11.6% of the total enrollment in Italian schools, translating to nearly 12 out of every 100 students.