Italy plans school veil ban, foreign student caps under Meloni

Italy is set to introduce restrictions on face coverings in schools and implement quotas on foreign student enrollment per classroom, according to announcements by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The policy proposals were unveiled during a speech to youth members of her party, where Meloni emphasized her government's conservative positioning on cultural and social matters.

The proposed ban on face coverings in educational settings would apply to students of all backgrounds, though the policy has drawn comparisons to similar measures enacted in other European nations with significant Muslim populations. The veil restrictions aim to ensure student identification and classroom security, according to government officials familiar with the initiative.

Simultaneously, the Italian government plans to cap the proportion of foreign-born students allowed in individual classes, framing the measure as necessary for classroom integration and educational outcomes. The specific numerical limits have not yet been publicly detailed, though implementation is expected to affect schools across the country.

These announcements reflect Meloni's center-right administration's focus on immigration control and national cultural preservation—cornerstones of her political platform since taking office. The measures align with broader European debates over integration, religious expression, and immigration policy in public institutions.