OSC achieves milestone as first school in SL to be awarded Global Eco-Schools Green Flag

The Overseas School of Colombo is a benchmark institution of academic finesse, specialising in holistic experiential learning. Situated in the Western Province, OSC is the oldest international education institution established in 1957, and the only IB World School in Sri Lanka. A pristine campus that has stayed true to its motto ‘Unity in Diversity’ in the aeons of its existence.  

The Overseas School of Colombo has attained yet another milestone by receiving the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, awarded by The Federation of Environmental Education (FEE), to schools having made measurable progress in environmental sustainability. This is the first time a school in Sri Lanka has obtained the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award for being a sustainable eco-conscious facility fulfilling all the required standards. 

Sri Lanka, with lavish biodiversity, is home to endangered fauna and flora that face considerable environmental challenges. The country suffers from ecological impediments; poor solid waste management, traffic air pollution, significant habitat loss, viral infections like Dengue spread by mosquitoes due to manifold contaminated areas around the city, and the burning of plastic to name a few dilemmas that affect the country’s biodiversity. 

The Overseas School of Colombo decided to address the aforesaid environmental threats and find solutions for the broader ecological problems. This was achieved by advocating the Eco-Schools program, the largest global sustainable school’s initiative, implemented in 74 countries, in 59,000 schools, with over 19,000,000 students partaking in this worldwide initiative. 

OSC’s Eco-School journey commenced in November 2020. The Overseas School of Colombo selected Three Themes that would be the school’s focus: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Pollution and Waste. 

OSC Eco-Committee Chairperson Eloise Neil D. Golding said: “It's important to us to cherish what we have left of nature and to take care of it to the best of our abilities. Being an eco-school helps to push us towards those goals, keeping us motivated to stay on track. Getting this award has set us apart from others and has created a stronger feeling of community.”