Italy's Prime Minister Announces Plan to Ban Burqa and Niqab in Schools

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced a ban on the burqa and niqab in schools. She said on Sunday that the cabinet will soon decide on a proposal. Meloni said that face coverings should not be worn in schools and that no one should be forced to wear a face covering in the name of tradition. There are also plans to limit the number of foreign students in schools. Under the proposed rules, parents of foreign students whose children are having difficulty integrating into school and joining the Italian education system will have to learn the Italian language. Italy will not be the first country to ban the burqa and niqab. About 24 countries around the world, including France and China, have different bans on full-face clothing in public places. Italy has a law on face coverings in public places since 1975. It prohibits such face coverings in public places, so that no one person can be identified, however, under certain circumstances. A 2008 court ruling said that only a person can be identified if she breaks a cultural or religious law.