Italy’s government has approved new school rules that ban face-covering garments such as the burqa and niqab and limit the number of certain foreign students in classrooms.

The measures were approved by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet on September 24 as part of a decree focused on school integration, language learning and classroom management.

The government says the changes are aimed at helping students learn Italian, preventing isolated classrooms and ensuring children have equal opportunities in education.

The new rules come as immigration and integration remain major political issues in Italy ahead of the country’s 2027 general election.

Burqa and niqab banned

Under the new decree, students and others attending school activities will not be allowed to cover their faces in a way that prevents identification.

The restriction specifically includes the burqa and niqab, which cover the face. However, it does not ban the hijab, which covers the hair but leaves the face visible.

The rule applies to school activities, including meetings involving students and families.

People who violate the face-covering rule could face fines ranging from €200 to €1,000. If the person is a minor, the fine can be imposed on their parents.

The government has described the measure as part of a broader effort to support integration and identification within schools.

Meloni had announced the planned restriction earlier in the week, saying schools should remain places where students can communicate and participate fully in education.

30% limit for some foreign students

The decree also introduces a 30% ceiling for certain foreign students in classrooms.

The measure is not a blanket limit on all students who are not Italian citizens. It mainly applies to students who have limited Italian-language skills and have not spent enough time in the Italian education system.

Some students will be excluded from the calculation. This includes children born in Italy and students who have already completed several years of schooling in the country.

The government says the rule is intended to prevent classrooms from having a very high concentration of students who need additional Italian-language support.

If a classroom exceeds the limit, education authorities can move some students to nearby schools. Schools can also receive exemptions when applying the limit is not practical.

The government says additional resources will be provided for Italian-language support where necessary.

Italy already had a 30% guideline for foreign pupils, introduced in 2010. The new decree gives the limit a stronger legal basis and links it more closely to language skills and students’ previous education.

Italian lessons for parents

The new measures also place greater emphasis on Italian-language learning among parents.

Parents of students facing serious difficulties with Italian may be required to attend free Italian-language courses if their own lack of language skills is affecting their children’s integration or education.

Parents who fail to attend the required courses could face fines of between €200 and €1,000.

The government says improving language skills among families can help children participate more fully in school and reduce the risk of social isolation.

Concerns over implementation

The measures have drawn criticism from opposition parties, education groups and some school representatives.

Critics have questioned how the 30% limit will work in areas where schools already have large numbers of students from immigrant families.

Moving children to other schools could also create practical difficulties for families and education authorities, particularly where schools are already crowded.

Some critics have also raised concerns that separating students based on their background or language ability could create new divisions rather than improve integration.

The government, however, says the measures are designed to ensure that students receive the support they need while learning alongside their classmates.

The face-covering ban and classroom rules are part of Meloni’s wider focus on immigration, integration, education and national identity.

The decree will now go to Italy’s Parliament. It must be converted into law within 60 days, meaning lawmakers could still amend its provisions before they become permanent.

The debate is expected to continue as Italy prepares for its next general election in 2027, with immigration and integration likely to remain important issues in the country’s political discussion.