Italy approves school decree banning burqa, capping foreign pupils

Italy's Council of Ministers on Thursday approved a school decree that bans face coverings including the burqa and niqab in schools and introduces a 30% cap on certain foreign pupils in first-year classes, the national news agency ANSA reported.

The decree prohibits participation in curricular and extracurricular school activities, as well as school-family activities, with the face covered in a way that prevents identification, except for specific health or security reasons.

Violations can incur administrative fines of between €200 ($227) and €1,000 ($1137).

When the violation is committed by a minor, the penalty applies to the parent, according to the draft provisions.

The government said the measures are intended to promote integration and prevent the formation of what Meloni described as “ghetto-like classrooms.”

30% cap on foreign pupils

The decree also introduces a 30% ceiling in first-year classes for specified students with non-Italian citizenship.

In primary schools, the limit applies to pupils who were not born in Italy or who have not attended at least two years of preschool.

In lower and upper secondary schools, the cap applies to students with non-Italian citizenship who have not successfully attended national education system for at least three school years.

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said about 34,000 classes currently have a foreign-student share above 30%, stressing that the government's objective is to put greater emphasis on Italian-language acquisition as a tool for integration.

The decree provides for intervention when serious and persistent language barriers within a family hinder a child's integration at school.

Schools are required to report such cases to social services, which can arrange Italian-language courses for parents.

Failure to comply can result in fines of between €200 and €1,000.