Italy to ban burqa and niqab in schools and limit foreign students per class

Rome – The Italian Ministry of Education announced plans to prohibit the wearing of full-face veils, including the burqa and niqab, within all public and private schools. The proposal, presented as part of a broader effort to reinforce secular values and ensure uniformity in school attire, would apply to students from primary through secondary levels and is slated for discussion in the upcoming parliamentary session. Simultaneously, the ministry intends to introduce a limit on the number of foreign‑origin students allowed in each classroom, a measure aimed at maintaining manageable class sizes and promoting balanced integration.

If adopted, the regulations would require schools to enforce the dress code and monitor enrollment ratios, with penalties for non‑compliance outlined in draft guidelines. Education officials cite concerns over social cohesion and the need for consistent educational standards, while civil‑rights groups have warned that the policies could marginalize minority communities. The government has indicated that the final rules will be refined after stakeholder consultations, with an implementation timeline expected later this year.