Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to introduce new school rules that would ban the burqa and niqab in Italian schools, limit the number of foreign students in each classroom and require some foreign parents to learn Italian.Meloni announced the proposals on September 20, 2026, while speaking at Fenix, an event organised by the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party in Rome. She said the government would soon present the measures to the Council of Ministers. The proposals still need to go through the legislative process before they become law.What Is Italy Proposing?The planned Italy burqa niqab ban would prohibit students from wearing full-face coverings such as the burqa and niqab at school. A burqa covers the body and face, including a mesh covering over the eyes, while a niqab covers the face but leaves the eyes visible.Meloni said that students should attend school with their faces uncovered. She also linked the proposed restriction to her government's position on integration and equality in schools. The proposal specifically concerns the burqa and niqab. Reports on Meloni's announcement have differed on whether the initial wording also referred to the hijab, so the final legal text will be important in determining exactly which garments are covered.Related Instagram Post :Giorgia Meloni Announces Proposed BurqaWhat Are the Foreign Student Limits?Another major part of the proposed Giorgia Meloni school rules is a legal limit on the number of foreign students allowed in each classroom.The government has not yet announced the exact percentage or number of foreign students that would be permitted per class. Meloni said the measure is intended to address integration problems and prevent classrooms from facing difficulties when large numbers of students do not speak Italian. The proposal would also require parents of foreign students experiencing serious difficulties integrating into the Italian school system to learn Italian. The government has presented language learning as part of its broader integration policy. How Does Italy Compare With Europe?Italy's proposed burqa ban in Italian schools comes amid different approaches across Europe. France, Belgium and Denmark have nationwide restrictions on face coverings in public spaces, while the Netherlands has narrower restrictions in places such as schools, hospitals and public transport. Austria has also introduced school-related restrictions.Italy's proposal is therefore focused on schools rather than announcing a general nationwide ban on face coverings in all public places.What Happens Next?The proposed Italian schools education policy must first be formally presented and approved through Italy's government and legislative process. Parliamentary approval will be required before the measures can become law.Until that process is completed, the niqab restrictions Italy proposal remains a government plan rather than an enacted nationwide school ban. The final legislation will determine the exact rules, foreign-student limits, exemptions and enforcement procedures.Also Read : Italy School Veil Ban & Meloni Reforms
