Meloni to cap foreign students and ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools

The Story

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says her government will soon introduce a package aimed at shaping school rules for foreign students, including a cap on the number of foreign students in classrooms and a ban on wearing burqas and niqabs in schools.

Meloni told the youth wing of her nationalist conservative Brothers of Italy party that the measure would be presented to the government in the near term. She said the plan would apply to foreign students and is intended to address integration into the school system.

As described by Meloni, the proposal would also make Italian language lessons compulsory for parents of foreign students who are experiencing “serious difficulties integrating into the school system.” The intent, she said, is to encourage families to engage with the language and rules in place in Italy’s education system.

Meloni’s remarks specifically referenced the burqa, described as an all-covering garment worn by some Muslim women, and the niqab, a veil worn by some more conservative Muslims in which only the eyes are visible.

In her comments, Meloni did not mention the hijab, the headscarf worn by some Muslim women, leaving unclear whether any other forms of religious clothing would be addressed under the broader concept of a school uniform or dress restriction.

The prime minister said that, once approved by the government, the measure would still require parliamentary approval within 60 days to become law, setting up a defined timeline for lawmakers’ consideration.

The proposal forms part of a broader political agenda Meloni has pursued in her role as prime minister, including policies she has framed as necessary for migration management and integration. The announcement comes as Meloni seeks to sustain momentum ahead of a general election scheduled for next year.

The statement also reflects Meloni’s shifting position in Italy’s political mainstream. The reporting notes that she has moved from being viewed as a nationalist outlier toward becoming an establishment figure among European Union politicians, even as she continues to introduce measures aligned with tougher views on migration.

From a practical perspective for European audiences, the changes under consideration would directly affect school environments by setting numeric limits for foreign students and imposing dress rules in education settings, both of which could influence enrollment patterns and the day-to-day experience of students and families.

Meloni delivered the comments in Rome at a national festival of the youth wing of her party, the Gioventù Nazionale, where she described language learning and respect for school rules as the “only serious way” to welcome people to Italy.