Story perspectives

Italy Bans Burqas in Schools, Limits Language-Limited Students

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 10:40 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Italy approved a law banning burqas and niqabs in schools and capping language-limited students at 30 %.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the rules aid integration and require faces uncovered.
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said 30 % limit targets arrivals lacking Italian, not native-born children.
Schools must report language-barrier cases and require parents to attend Italian courses or face €1,000 fines.
The decree takes effect immediately, pending parliamentary ratification within 60 days.

History

Historical Context

In 2004, the French Parliament enacted a nationwide ban on face-covering garments, a law championed by President Jacques Chirac. The decree targeted public spaces, prompting the European Court of Human Rights to uphold it in 2014 after 1.5 million citizens were affected. Italy’s 2024 school decree, announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, mirrors France’s approach by capping language-limited students at 30 % and fining parents €1,000. The precedent suggests tighter cultural assimilation policies may spread across Europe, pressuring immigrant families and prompting legal challenges before the EU Court of Justice.

1 of 2

Story summary

Italy approved a law banning burqas and niqabs in schools and capping language-limited students at 30 %.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the rules aid integration and require faces uncovered.
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said 30 % limit targets arrivals lacking Italian, not native-born children.
Schools must report language-barrier cases and require parents to attend Italian courses or face €1,000 fines.
The decree takes effect immediately, pending parliamentary ratification within 60 days.

1 / 2