Italy Implements School Ban on Burqas and Niqabs, Limits Foreign Language Speakers
The Italian government has enacted a ban on burqas and niqabs in schools and has limited the percentage of students with limited Italian language skills to 30% per class. This move, described by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a means to integrate students, has been criticized by opposition parties as a political strategy. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara defends the measures as linguistically focused and promoting gender equality. The decree is now awaiting parliamentary approval.