Italy has approved a decree banning face-covering veils, including burqas and niqabs, in schools under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. Approved by the Council of Ministers on September 24, 2026, the measure prohibits students from covering their faces in ways that prevent identification during school activities. The restriction does not extend to the hijab, which leaves the face uncovered, and includes exceptions for specific circumstances. The decree is part of a broader education policy aimed at promoting integration and improving Italian-language learning. It also introduces a 30% cap on certain students without Italian citizenship in first-year classrooms, alongside language-learning requirements for some parents. The government says the measures will support integration, while opposition parties and education groups have raised concerns about their implementation and impact on students. The new rules are scheduled to take effect in September 2027.