A Decree on Classrooms, and Naples Counts the Children It Teaches

The Italian government has adopted a decree law banning the burqa and niqab in schools and capping the number of pupils with a poor command of Italian in each class, according to the BBC. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the measures as "common-sense tools that do not divide but really help to integrate", the BBC reported.

The Guardian reported that critics accuse Meloni of "running scared" and of ramping up divisive rhetoric to court far-right voters ahead of next year's general election. The New York Times said the stated goal was to better integrate non-Italian speaking children, while critics accused the Prime Minister of trying to appease anti-immigrant sentiment.

Deutsche Welle and The Local Italy both reported the cabinet's adoption of the decree on Thursday, with The Local noting the cap applies to students with a poor command of Italian. The measures arrive as a decree law, which under the Italian constitution takes effect immediately and must be converted into statute by Parliament within a set period.