Italy plans to introduce new measures aimed at limiting the number of foreign students in classrooms and banning certain face coverings in schools, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Sunday. Speaking at the annual conference of youth members of her Brothers of Italy party, Meloni outlined a forthcoming bill that would set a legal cap on the proportion of foreign pupils per class and require parents of foreign students facing integration challenges to attend Italian language lessons.
Meloni emphasized the importance of assimilation into Italian society, stating that anyone seeking to build a future in the country must learn the Italian language, understand its culture, and respect its rules. "It is unthinkable that, in an Italian classroom, it is the Italian children who feel they have become a minority," she said.
The proposed legislation also includes a ban on wearing the burqa and niqab in classrooms. The burqa covers the entire body, while the niqab leaves only the eyes visible; however, Meloni did not mention the hijab, a headscarf commonly worn by Muslim women. The measures come amid a rising number of foreign pupils in Italy’s school system, which has grown from 3.5 percent of total enrollment in the 2003-04 academic year to 11.6 percent in 2023-24, according to the Fondazione ISMU, a research institution.
The topic of face and head coverings has sparked debate across Italy, reflecting broader discussions on integration and cultural identity. In July, a public swimming pool in Rome partnered with a Muslim women’s association to organise female-only swimming hours, during which burkinis, a modest swimsuit, were permitted. This initiative drew criticism from some politicians, including Fabio Rampelli, vice-president of the Italian lower house and ally of Meloni, who described it as an attempt to impose Islamic laws in public spaces.
Critics argue that such restrictions may infringe on constitutional protections that guarantee the freedom to profess religious beliefs and practice worship in public or private. Supporters contend that these measures are necessary to promote societal cohesion and ensure respect for Italian customs.
Italy continues to be a key entry point for migrants arriving from North Africa via the Mediterranean, contributing to the country’s immigration challenges. Meloni’s government has taken a firm stance on migration, including campaigning on a promise to enforce a naval blockade in the Mediterranean during the 2022 election campaign. Her rhetoric has intensified amid competition from the right-wing Futuro Nazionale party, led by former special forces general Roberto Vannacci, who has controversially questioned the Italian identity of black people. The party’s growing support, currently polling at around 8 percent, is considered to be drawing voters from Meloni’s base ahead of the elections scheduled for next year.
Details on the precise cap for foreign students have not been disclosed, and the proposed legislation is expected to be presented to the cabinet in the near future.