Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared on Sunday that Italy is getting ready to implement new school regulations that will prohibit face veils like burqas and niqabs and restrict the number of international students in each classroom.

Speaking at a yearly youth gathering hosted by her Brothers of Italy party, Meloni announced that the Cabinet would shortly receive a proposal. Additionally, the proposed regulations would mandate that parents of international students who are having significant challenges assimilating into the Italian educational system acquire Italian.

“If there is only one child in a class who doesn’t understand Italian, that child will likely be able to learn the language and integrate quickly with the help of classmates and teachers. However, if the number of children who don’t understand the language becomes large – or even the majority – that is no longer integration; it is neglect,” Meloni said.

The maximum number of international pupils permitted in a class was not specified by her. 11.6% of pupils enrolled in Italian schools are not citizens of Italy, according to research organization Fondazione ISMU.

“You must go to school with your face uncovered, and in Italy no one, in the name of a real or supposed tradition, can decide that a young woman must hide herself,” Meloni stated in reference to facial coverings.

The declaration coincides with ongoing discussions in Italy about immigration policy, religious symbols, cultural integration, and migration.