Italy's Giorgia Meloni limits foreign pupils in schools and bans face coverings

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has introduced new measures that limit the number of foreign students in schools and ban face coverings, sparking controversy ahead of the 2027 elections. The right-wing government argues these steps will foster genuine integration and counter the growing influence of a rival far-right party.

From the 2027-28 school year, a 30% cap will be imposed on non-Italian pupils in primary schools, with penalties of up to €1,000 for those entering school premises with face coverings. Meloni claims these are common-sense measures, while critics, including opposition politicians and educators, argue they prioritize culture-war politics over education.

The decree faces challenges in enforcement, particularly in areas with large immigrant populations, and must be signed off by President Sergio Mattarella, who has expressed concerns about such barriers to education. Around 900,000 foreign students, comprising 11.6% of the total student population, currently attend Italian schools, with the majority coming from European and African countries.