Italy bans face veils in schools and caps foreign pupils

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 25 Sept, 16:34 · Archive

Italy's government has banned burqas and niqabs in schools and introduced a cap on foreign students lacking fluent Italian.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has approved measures banning burqas and niqabs in schools and capping the number of foreign students who do not speak fluent Italian. Meloni described the measures as 'common-sense tools that do not divide but really help to integrate'. Critics accused the government of stoking divisive rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general election. The moves come as Italy grapples with migration, which has become a significant election issue.

How it is being reported

• Meloni accused of election shift to right after ’shameful’ cap on foreign children in classroomsCritics say decree also banning burqa in schools shows Italian PM running scared ahead of next year’s vote Rights campaigners have accused the Italian government of ramping up divisive rhetoric in an attempt to court far-right voters ahead of next year’s general election after it passed a decree aimed at capping the number of newly arrived migrants in classrooms and banning the burqa and niqab in schools. The prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, said her government had approved what she called “commonsense measures that do not divide but genuinely…The Guardian · 25 Sept, 12:31
• Italy to ban burqa in schools, limit foreign pupilsPrime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has passed new school rules capping the number of students who don't speak fluent Italian and banning face coverings.DW News · 25 Sept, 09:10
• Meloni government bans burqas, caps foreign students in Italian schoolsItaly is a front-line country for migration, with integration a hot campaign issue ahead of its 2027 election.Al Jazeera · 25 Sept, 03:07
• Meloni’s government plans to ban face veils in Italy’s schoolsThe government also endorsed a classroom cap on the number of foreign students who lack adequate Italian.The Japan Times · 25 Sept, 02:39
• Italy ministers agree to ban burqa and niqab in school and cap foreigners in classPrime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the measures as "common-sense tools that do not divide but really help to integrate".BBC News · 24 Sept, 20:32

In this story: Giorgia Meloni · Italy · Brothers of Italy

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