OMM Redaksiyası
Italy’s Council of Ministers on Thursday approved a school decree banning face coverings, including the burqa and niqab, in educational institutions and introducing a 30% ceiling for certain foreign pupils in first-year classes, national news agency ANSA reported.
The decree prohibits taking part in curricular and extracurricular activities, as well as school-family events, with the face covered in a way that prevents identification. Exceptions will apply for specific health or security reasons.
Violations may result in administrative fines ranging from €200 ($227) to €1,000 ($1,137). If the offence is committed by a minor, the fine will be imposed on the parent, according to the draft provisions.
Government cites integration concerns
The government said the measures are aimed at promoting integration and preventing the creation of what Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has described as “ghetto-like classrooms”.
The decree also establishes a 30% limit in first-year classes for students who meet specified criteria related to non-Italian citizenship.
In primary schools, the restriction applies to pupils who were not born in Italy or who have not attended at least two years of preschool.
In lower and upper secondary schools, it covers students without Italian citizenship who have not successfully completed at least three years in the national education system.
Focus on Italian-language learning
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said around 34,000 classes currently have a foreign-student share above 30%. He said the government wanted to place greater emphasis on learning Italian as a means of supporting integration.
The decree provides for action when serious and persistent language barriers within a family hinder a child’s integration at school. Schools will be required to report such cases to social services, which may arrange Italian-language courses for parents.
Failure to comply with those requirements may also lead to fines of between €200 and €1,000.
