Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has introduced a decree-law banning burqas and niqabs in schools and capping foreign students at 30% per classroom, effective next year, while threatening fines of up to $1,140 for noncompliance.
Italy’s government has moved to ban face coverings in schools and limit the proportion of non-Italian students in classrooms, marking a significant shift in education policy under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The decree-law, approved by Meloni’s cabinet on September 25, 2026, prohibits burqas and niqabs in schools and imposes a 30% cap on non-Italian speakers in classes, with fines of up to $1,140 for violations. The measure, which requires parliamentary approval within 60 days, has sparked intense debate over integration, cultural identity, and educational equity.
Banning Burqas, Capping Foreign Students: The Policy Details
The policy’s 30% cap on non-Italian speakers in classrooms has drawn scrutiny. While Meloni’s government did not specify the exact threshold, the decree-law explicitly states that schools must avoid concentrations of non-Italian-speaking pupils. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara noted that the measure would affect about 1,000 classrooms, or 0.3% of the total nationwide Aljazeera.
Political Context and Opposition Reactions
Meloni’s move aligns with her broader nationalist agenda, framing the policy as a defense of common sense that do not divide.
Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, called the decree a shameful decree that seeks to hide the government’s inability to address the real problems of the public school system behind a new ideological banner
Aljazeera. The far-right National Future (FN) party, led by Roberto Vannacci, had previously advocated for stricter school policies on burqas, positioning the issue as a key campaign plank.
Teachers’ unions and school principals have raised concerns about implementation. Antonello Giannelli, president of the National Association of Principals, stated that while the educational rationale is “well-founded,” turning it into a practical solution is “difficult” Aljazeera.
Cultural and Legal Implications
Meloni’s policy has reignited debates over religious freedom and cultural integration. She defended the ban on face coverings, stating, You must go to school with your face uncovered, and in Italy no one, in the name of a real or supposed tradition, can decide that a young woman must hide herself
Moneycontrol.
The policy also raises questions about Italy’s approach to migration. Meloni’s government has emphasized that the measure is not about “dividing” but putting everyone in a position to start from the same point
Aljazeera.
What’s Next for the Policy?
The decree-law’s fate hinges on parliamentary approval within 60 days. President Sergio Mattarella has expressed caution about barriers being placed on education,
but his stance remains unclear Aljazeera.