The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) reaffirmed its position as a global leader in sustainable education, earning recognition from UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership, and also by renewing its Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Over the past two years, OSC’s commitment to environmental education has turned heads, inspired communities, and earned significant international recognition for the school’s unparalleled environmental stewardship.
In June 2025, OSC was featured by UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership as one of only two schools globally recognised as an exemplar Green School. This is no small feat as UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership aims to guide and support schools worldwide in adopting a whole-school approach to sustainability; effectively integrating climate education, resource management, curriculum, and community partnership.
Being named an exemplar Green School signifies that OSC meets UNESCO’s rigorous Green School Quality Standards, which outline best practices for sustainable schools across key areas such as energy, water, food systems, waste management, curriculum integration, and community involvement.
OSC is also featured in the Early Years Eco-Schools Global Handbook (p.35), which spotlights leading models of environmental education worldwide. OSC’s inclusion reflects its innovative, age-appropriate approach to sustainability; where gardening, composting, and environmental care are seamlessly integrated into early holistic learning.
Another highlight is OSC recently having welcomed Dr. Pramod Kumar Sharma, Senior Director of Education at the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), for a two-day accreditation visit that underscored the school’s leadership in environmental education and sustainable practices.
Dr. Sharma oversees the global Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programmes across 101 countries, making his visit a significant milestone for OSC and its community. As Sri Lanka’s first and only accredited Eco-School, OSC has long been at the forefront of integrating sustainability into education, inspiring students from the earliest years to take meaningful action for the planet.
During the visit, students showcased their gardening and permaculture initiatives, proudly harvesting bananas, brinjal, and a range of herbs and spices grown on campus. The produce was then prepared for a communal lunch with members of the Eco-Schools Committee, Dr. Sharma, and Mr. Palinda Perera of Earth Lanka, demonstrating the school’s commitment to farm-to-table practices and sustainable living.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the Grade 3 students’ excitement and genuine engagement during our permaculture gardening sessions,” said the young Sam Bridgwater, Service Leader of the Eco-Club. “Students eagerly share observations and ask thoughtful questions each week. As an Environmental Systems and Societies student, it’s rewarding to put what we learn in class into real action.”
In the afternoon, students guided the visitors through OSC’s key environmental initiatives, including its bio-gas plant, composting systems, and various service-learning projects. These tours highlighted how sustainability is woven into the fabric of everyday school life, going beyond the classroom to create authentic, hands-on learning experiences.
“The accreditation was a highly successful process,” said Mr. Ian Lockwood, DP CAS coordinator, DP1 and DP2 Geography, Environmental Systems and Societies Educator. “The school demonstrated genuine, hands-on engagement with every aspect of its environmental initiatives – from working on the garden beds to harvesting and sharing the produce, to thoughtful conversations around waste management and showcasing the bio-gas plant. It was wonderful to be able to show how these systems function cohesively across the campus as a whole-school effort supported by dedicated teachers who advocate professional education development.”
Furthermore, OSC’s students have taken on leadership roles at international forums, including leading sessions at the UN at Your Doorstep Global Conference, where they advocated for climate action and sustainability. In 2024, they were named International Winners of the YRE Competition, with their work showcased globally as a model for environmental journalism and youth engagement.
These achievements place OSC among an elite group within the Eco-Schools network, which spans over 59,000 schools worldwide, with only 17,000 having achieved Green Flag status. OSC’s continued success reflects a whole-school approach, engaging students from kindergarten through to DP2 in meaningful sustainability practices.
Dr. David Poulus, DP1 and DP2 Language and Literature Teacher and Learning Leader/Service Coordinator, added: “It’s inspiring to see sustainability embedded across the school – from our youngest learners to our oldest students. Everyone contributes to a connected system: collecting food waste, creating bio-fertiliser, nurturing gardens, and enjoying the harvest.”
Through its sustained efforts, OSC has positioned itself as a national and international leader in sustainable education. Dr. Sharma’s visit celebrated these milestones while encouraging the school to build further upon on its achievements, expanding its environmental stewardship. He praised OSC’s environmental programmes for their impact, curriculum integration, and student leadership, noting that the school sets a high standard for Eco-Schools in Sri Lanka. Reaffirming the school’s status while exemplifying the transformative power of environmental learning embedded deeply as part of OSC’s culture and community.
