Global recognition for environmental action – OSC leads the way in sustainability.
The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) has been recognized as a global leader in sustainable education, receiving accolades from UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership and renewing its Eco- Schools Green Flag accreditation. Over the past two years, OSC’s dedication to environmental education has gained international recognition, culminating in June 2025 when it was named one of two exemplar Green Schools worldwide. This distinction reflects OSC’s compliance with UNESCO’s stringent Green School Quality Standards across various areas. OSC is featured in the Early Years Eco-Schools Global Handbook, showcasing its innovative integration of sustainability education into early learning practices.
A milestone moment came with the visit of Dr. Pramod Kumar Sharma, Senior Director of Education at FEE, who oversees the global Eco- Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programs across 101 countries. His two-day accreditation visit underscored OSC’s leadership in environmental education and sustainable practice. Students showcased their gardening and permaculture projects, harvesting campus-grown bananas, brinjal, and herbs for a communal lunch with Dr. Sharma and Palinda Perera of Earth Lanka — a demonstration of OSC’s farm-to-table ethos.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the Grade three students’ excitement during our permaculture gardening sessions,” said Sam Bridgwater, Eco-Club Service Leader. “It’s rewarding to put what we learn in class into real action.”
DP CAS Coordinator Ian Lockwood praised the school’s “genuine, hands-on engagement” across all sustainability systems — from gardening to bio-gas and waste management — calling it a cohesive, whole-school effort supported by passionate educators.
OSC’s students also continue to lead on global platforms, presenting at the UN at Your Doorstep Global Conference and winning the 2024 YRE International Competition for outstanding environmental journalism. With only 17,000 of 59,000 Eco-Schools worldwide holding Green Flag status, OSC stands among an elite group. “Sustainability is embedded across the school,” said Dr. David Poulus. “Everyone contributes — from collecting food waste to nurturing gardens.”
Dr. Sharma commended OSC’s impactful, student-driven approach, reaffirming its role as Sri Lanka’s model Eco-School and a global exemplar of transformative environmental education.
