Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her government plans to ban burqas and niqabs in schools and limit the number of foreign students in classrooms.

The proposed measures would also require Italian-language lessons for parents of foreign students who have serious difficulties integrating into the school system.

Meloni said the changes are intended to ensure that immigrants learn Italian, understand Italian culture and follow the country’s laws.

The measures would need approval from the Italian Parliament within 60 days after being formally adopted by the government, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Immigration is expected to be a major issue in Italy’s 2027 general election, with the further-right National Future party also calling for restrictions on burqas in schools.