Full Breakdown
Italy Moves to Ban Face-Covering Veils and Cap Foreign-Language Learners in Classrooms
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Legislative Action and Core Measures
In late September 2026 the Italian cabinet approved a decree law that bans the burqa and niqab in all public schools and sets a 30 percent ceiling on pupils who lack an adequate command of Italian in any given class. The limit applies to primary, lower-secondary and upper-secondary levels and is tied to citizenship status: children who are not Italian citizens and who have not completed the required years of Italian schooling are counted toward the cap. Schools that identify “persistent language barriers” must report cases to social services, and parents of affected pupils are required to attend free Italian courses. Non-compliance with the veil ban can be penalised with a fine of up to €1,000. The decree takes effect immediately but must be ratified by parliament within 60 days.
Background and Policy Context
The 30 percent ceiling echoes a 2010 ministerial memorandum issued under Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini, which established the same limit “as a rule” for pupils without Italian citizenship. The current decree converts that guidance into law and expands it to language proficiency, positioning the measures as tools to avoid “ghetto classes,” Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said. Migration has been a central theme of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, and the reforms arrive ahead of the 2027 general election, where integration policy is a key issue.
Data and Statistics
- Non-Italian citizens constitute 11.6 percent of Italy’s school enrolment (Fondazione ISMU).
- Valditara noted that 34,000 school classes have more than 30 percent foreign-born pupils, though most would be exempt because the decree targets recent arrivals rather than children born in Italy or those who attended kindergarten.
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister Meloni framed the measures as “common-sense tools” that promote integration without division. Valditara stressed that the language cap is “purely linguistic” and not a citizenship issue, adding that inadequate language proficiency “hinders educational progress.” The Education Ministry also highlighted that parental involvement “is fundamental for academic success.”
Criticism & Opposition
Centre-left parties described the package as political pandering. Critics warned that forcing children into separate classes could create “first-class” and “second-class” students, as noted by Save the Children.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on how the 30 percent cap is applied. The decree’s text blends citizenship and language criteria, leaving the precise calculation method unclear. Additionally, the exact numerical threshold for the cap (“about 30 percent” versus “30 percent”) varies across outlets.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You must go to school with your face uncovered,” — Giorgia Meloni, prime minister
- “A 30 percent cap on the number of students in a class who do not have an adequate command of Italian, more tools for learning our language, and a ban on the burqa and niqab in schools,” — Giorgia Meloni, prime minister
What’s Next
The decree law must be approved by parliament within 60 days to remain in force. If ratified, the measures will be incorporated into the national education code, and schools will begin reporting language-barrier cases to social services while enforcing the face-covering ban.