Italy: Face-covering ban and quota for foreign pupils in schools take effect

ROME, 1 October /ATSH-DPA/ – A ban on face coverings has entered into force in all schools in Italy, after President Sergio Mattarella signed the decree issued by the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the president’s office announced.

From the 2027–2028 school year, a quota of 30% will also apply in first-year classes at all levels of education for foreign children who do not have sufficient knowledge of the Italian language.

The quota will apply to children who do not have Italian citizenship, who were not born in Italy, and who have not attended an Italian kindergarten for at least two years.

In secondary education, pupils must have attended Italian schools for at least three years to be exempted from this quota.

According to the decree, pupils’ faces must remain identifiable, in practice banning Islamic coverings that cover the whole face, such as the burqa and the niqab.

The measures were adopted through an emergency decree and must now be approved by Parliament within 60 days; otherwise, they lapse.

Parents who have considerable difficulty with the Italian language may also be required to attend Italian language courses, if communication difficulties hinder their relations with their child’s school.

Prime Minister Meloni had announced these measures in early September, before the cabinet approved the decree shortly afterwards.

Meloni has led a three-party coalition of right-wing and conservative parties since 2022.

She ran her successful election campaign promising a tougher policy on migration.

Her party, Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), continues to lead opinion polls ahead of elections expected next year.

Meanwhile, the governing coalition has recently come under pressure from the newly formed National Future party, led by former general Roberto Vannacci, which demands an even tougher policy on migration.