Under the proposed legislation, according to BBC News, schools would be fined if they were to prevent "initiatives promoted by parents, students, or competent school bodies, aimed at activities linked to traditional celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, such as the setting up of nativity scenes, plays and other events related to them".

"Allowing the transformation of the Sacred Christian holidays into another anonymous type of celebration would constitute discrimination against the students and their families practicing the majority religion as well as an attack on the values and the deepest tradition of our people," the draft text reads.

Should the proposed legislation be enacted, headteachers who persist in removing nativity scenes would be subject to disciplinary action, the Guardian reports.

Lavinia Mennuni, a senator for the ruling Brothers of Italy party, introduced the legislation and said it's an effort to combat the left's agenda to erase Christianity from the religious holiday as a means to score points in political correctness.

"For some years now we have witnessed unacceptable and embarrassing decisions by some schools that ban nativity scenes or modify the deep essence of Christmas by transforming it into improbable winter festivities so as not to offend believers of other religions."

"I am amazed how anyone can give weight to such news," he said, according to BBC. "We are faced with measures that are only useful for diverting the attention of Italians from the real problems of schools and the country."