ROME — Italian ministers announced on Thursday that the country will ban the wearing of burqa and niqab in all schools and will impose a cap on the number of foreign students in each classroom. The policy, unveiled by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior, is part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls and address concerns over cultural integration.
Full‑face veils banned in schools
The new regulation will prohibit the wearing of full‑face veils, including the burqa and niqab, in all public and private educational institutions from the 2026‑27 academic year. The ban applies to students of all ages, from kindergarten through university, and extends to school staff who may wear such garments. The decision follows a long‑standing debate in Italy over the presence of veils in public spaces and the country’s commitment to secular education.
Foreign students capped in classrooms
In addition to the veil ban, the ministers will limit the number of foreign students in each classroom to a maximum of 30 percent. The cap is intended to ensure that Italian language and cultural instruction remain the focus of the curriculum. The policy will be monitored by local education authorities, who will report compliance to the Ministry of Education.
Political context
The announcement comes amid a series of anti‑migration measures introduced by the current government. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister offered to amend a controversial repatriation bonus scheme for asylum lawyers, a proposal that was highlighted by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) as a potential step toward reducing the number of asylum seekers in Italy. The new school policy is viewed by supporters as a continuation of the government’s hard‑line stance on immigration and cultural assimilation.
International cooperation on migration
During recent talks in Rome, Italy and Algeria agreed to deepen anti‑migration cooperation, a move that aligns with the new domestic policy. The bilateral agreement, reported by Anadolu Ajans, focuses on joint border patrols and information sharing to curb irregular migration flows into Europe. The policy on foreign students in classrooms is seen by some analysts as a domestic reflection of this broader strategy.
Reactions from civil society
Human rights groups have expressed concern that the veil ban could disproportionately affect Muslim students and their families. The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) has called for safeguards to ensure that the policy does not violate the rights of religious minorities. The government has stated that the ban applies only to full‑face veils and does not affect other forms of religious dress.
Implementation and enforcement
Local education authorities will be responsible for enforcing the new regulations. Schools will be required to report any violations to the Ministry of Education within 48 hours. Failure to comply could result in fines or the revocation of operating licenses. The Ministry has also announced a public awareness campaign to inform parents and students about the new rules.
