Italy adopts new school rules on face coverings, Italian language

ROME: Italy’s government has approved a decree banning the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools and limiting to 30% the proportion of students in a class who do not have adequate Italian-language skills.

The Council of Ministers approved the measures Thursday as part of a broader package aimed at improving integration in schools. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the measures on social media.

The decree prohibits face coverings that prevent identification during curricular and extracurricular school activities and school-family meetings, with exceptions for specific health or security reasons. Violations can result in fines of up to 1,000 euros, according to Italian media reports.

The new rules also seek to limit the concentration of students with insufficient Italian-language skills in individual classes. The government says schools will receive additional resources to help students learn Italian.

Students born in Italy or those who attended kindergarten there can be exempt from the 30% limit, while other exemptions can apply in cases such as family circumstances or a student’s place of residence.

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said insufficient knowledge of Italian can hinder students’ academic progress and integration. The government also plans to provide free Italian-language courses for some parents whose children face integration difficulties.

The measures have drawn criticism from opposition parties and education groups. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein accused the government of targeting children, while teachers’ unions and school principals questioned aspects of the policy and its implementation.

The decree is subject to Italy’s parliamentary process before becoming permanent law.