Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has approved a stringent new decree introducing major reforms to the country's education system. The policy completely bans face-covering garments—specifically the burqa and niqab—inside schools, while standard headscarves that leave the face visible remain exempt. Additionally, the decree limits foreign students who struggle with the Italian language and integration to a maximum of 30 percent per classroom. It also mandates that parents of foreign children who lag behind in language or cultural adaptation must learn Italian.

While the conservative government maintains that these measures are essential to protect national culture, ensure gender equality, and integrate foreign children into local society, critics and immigrant rights activists argue the rules may deepen societal division. Enacted immediately as a decree, the policy must be passed by parliament within 60 days to become permanent law.