Rome (AFP) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet adopted a decree law Thursday banning burqas and niqabs in schools and capping the number of students with a poor command of Italian per class.
It introduces “A 30 percent cap on the number of students in a class who do not have an adequate command of Italian, more tools for learning our language, and a ban on the burqa and niqab in schools,” Meloni wrote on social media.
If a child seriously struggles to integrate at school, social services will be called and the parents will be obliged to attend free Italian lessons.
Failure to comply will be punished with a fine of up to 1,000 euros ($1,140).
Italy is a frontline country for migration and integration is a hot campaign issue ahead of next year’s general election.
Save the Children warned forcing children to change schools or enrol in a different institution from their peers simply because of their nationality or limited proficiency in Italian would “create ‘first-class’ and ‘second-class’ students”.
But Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said “inadequate language proficiency… hinders educational progress”.
“Parental participation in their child’s educational path is fundamental for academic success”, he told journalists.
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You are right, Religion is in fact not a race. However, it is strongly associated with race especially when it comes to fear of outsiders. After 9/11 white muslim men had no issues when going though airports. However, if you happened to look Arab you likely where harassed by airport security.
As for Islam, beliefs vary wildly and include people from many different backgrounds. I don’t think anyone should be forced into a religion but people should be allowed to practice their faith.
Yes, they can practice their faith, just not in public or in schools. For that matter, no one in a position of power should represent a religion either. I agree with Quebec. That goes for islam and christianity. Most importantly, no religious symbols in government. EVER! keep it out of politics.