{
  "id": 8689387,
  "title": "Italy to ban veils in schools, limit foreign students per class, Meloni says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/italy-to-ban-veils-in-schools-limit-foreign-students-per-class-meloni",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T12:52:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031364/italy-to-ban-veils-in-schools-limit-foreign-students-per-class-meloni-says"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Italy plans to ban face coverings in schools and limit the number of foreign students per class, according to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Speaking at a youth event for her party, Meloni emphasized her conservative views and outlined plans to address concerns over migration and integration. The issue of migration is a contentious topic in Italian politics, given the country's location in the Mediterranean and its status as a major destination for migrants.\n\nMeloni proposed presenting a measure to a Cabinet meeting to legally set a maximum number of foreign students in each class. She also suggested that parents of foreign students facing significant integration challenges must learn Italian. Additionally, she proposed a ban on burqas and niqabs in schools. Meloni argued that if only one student in a class struggles with language, they would benefit from classmates and teachers. However, if a large number of students fail to grasp the language or a majority do not, it would constitute neglect instead of integration.\n\nMeloni did not specify the exact number of foreign students permitted per class. Currently, 11.6% of students enrolled in Italian schools are not Italian citizens, equating to nearly 12 out of every 100 students, as reported by Fondazione ISMU, a research institution. Meloni emphasized that students should attend classes with their faces visible, stating that no one, in the name of tradition, should decide that a young woman must cover herself.",
  "summary": "Italy is preparing to ban face coverings in schools and to cap the number of foreign students per class, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday as she played up her right-wing credentials at a youth event organised by her party. Italy is among the European countries most exposed to migrant arrivals because of its central Mediterranean location, making migration a hot-button issue and a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Italy eyes burqa ban and cap on foreign students in classrooms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/italy-eyes-burqa-ban-and-cap-on-foreign-students-in-classrooms",
        "published": "2026-09-20T13:58:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Italy to ban face veils in schools, limit foreign students per class, Meloni says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/italy-to-ban-face-veils-in-schools-limit-foreign-students-per-class",
        "published": "2026-09-20T14:27:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Meloni plans to ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools, and cap foreign students in classrooms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/meloni-plans-to-ban-burqas-and-niqabs-in-italian-schools-and-cap-8727049",
        "published": "2026-09-20T15:57:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Meloni plans to ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools, and cap foreign students in classrooms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/meloni-plans-to-ban-burqas-and-niqabs-in-italian-schools-and-cap",
        "published": "2026-09-20T15:57:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Meloni announces ban on burqa and niqab in Italian schools and cap on foreign students",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/meloni-announces-ban-on-burqa-and-niqab-in-italian-schools-and-cap-on",
        "published": "2026-09-20T16:08:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Italy’s Meloni plans to ban burkas, niqabs in schools and cap foreign pupils in classrooms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/italys-meloni-plans-to-ban-burkas-niqabs-in-schools-and-cap-foreign",
        "published": "2026-09-20T16:32:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Italy to ban niqabs in schools, PM Meloni says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/italy-to-ban-niqabs-in-schools-pm-meloni-says",
        "published": "2026-09-20T16:54:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Italy's Meloni announces plan to ban burqa, niqab in schools; cap on foreign students",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/italys-meloni-announces-plan-to-ban-burqa-niqab-in-schools-cap-on",
        "published": "2026-09-20T17:33:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Italy to ban burqas in schools, PM Meloni says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/italy-to-ban-burqas-in-schools-pm-meloni-says",
        "published": "2026-09-20T20:29:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Egypt Independent",
        "title": "Italy to ban veils in schools, limit foreign students per class, Meloni says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/italy-to-ban-veils-in-schools-limit-foreign-students-per-class-meloni",
        "published": "2026-09-21T07:44:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}