Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to ban the wearing of burqas and niqabs in the country’s schools. The proposal was introduced on Sunday during a gathering of the youth wing of her nationalist conservative Brothers of Italy party at the Gioventu Nazionale festival in Rome.
In addition to the proposed ban on face coverings, Meloni stated that the government intends to implement a cap on the number of foreign students allowed in classrooms. She also proposed making Italian language lessons mandatory for parents of foreign students who are experiencing significant difficulties integrating into the school system.
Meloni emphasized that individuals moving to Italy must learn the language, understand the culture, and adhere to national rules. The proposed changes require approval from the government and must subsequently pass through parliament within 60 days to become law.
While Italy does not currently have an explicit ban on burqas or niqabs, a 1975 law prohibits the use of garments that obscure identification without a justified reason. A 2008 ruling further clarified that full-face coverings are permitted for religious or cultural reasons, provided the face is revealed for identity verification when necessary.
The announcement comes as immigration is expected to be a primary focus of the upcoming general election. Meloni’s administration, which holds the record as Italy’s longest-serving government since World War II, faces a growing political challenge from the National Future party, which has advocated for stricter regulations on face coverings in schools.
Regarding the proposed cap on foreign students, existing Italian law already includes a 30 percent limit on the number of foreign students per class. Meloni did not provide specific details on how her proposed changes would alter this existing regulation. Currently, foreign students account for approximately 12 percent of total enrollment in Italian schools.
Article source: www.aljazeera.com | Image credit: www.aljazeera.com