Italy's Meloni Proposes Burqa Ban and Foreign Pupil Limit in Schools

In September 2026, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed banning burqas and niqabs in Italian schools, along with a limit on the number of foreign pupils per classroom. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said that integration and success require mastery of Italian.

The plan has drawn criticism, and international newspapers have reported on it. Meloni said the measures aim to protect Italy from Islamic separatism.