Embarking on a journey towards environmental stewardship, The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) stands as a beacon of sustainability, integrating eco-consciousness seamlessly into its educational ethos. From innovative initiatives like the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award to practical solutions such as the advanced biogas plant, OSC sets a precedent for environmental leadership in Sri Lanka and beyond. OSC has also recently been recognized as the first school globally to receive the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools’ Programme of Distinction in Sustainability, highlighting its comprehensive, community-wide commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable education. Discover how OSC’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its campus, shaping responsible global citizens poised to make a difference in the world.
Could you elaborate on the specific initiatives OSC has implemented to promote sustainability within its campus?
At The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC), we proudly prioritize environmental sustainability, seamlessly integrating it into our educational framework to instil a culture of ecological responsibility. Through a suite of initiatives, we strive to nurture a green campus and foster sustainability within our community.
Our journey begins with the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, a testament to our commitment to sustainability. Following the Seven Steps Framework, we participated in this global programme, aligning with its criteria to earn this esteemed recognition. By advocating for the Eco-Schools programme, implemented in 74 countries and engaging millions of students worldwide, we further reinforce our dedication to sustainability education.
Central to our environmental efforts is our robust recycling programme, a cornerstone of our waste management strategy. Through systematic waste categorization and recycling promotion, we minimize our environmental footprint and instil eco-conscious values in our students from an early age. Additionally, our biodiversity conservation initiatives, including biodiversity trails and conservation areas, enrich our campus’ ecological diversity, providing organic spaces for learning about local flora and fauna.
Embracing the permaculture method, we transform our campus into a self-sustaining ecosystem. Our advanced biogas plant processes organic waste from our canteen and staff room, producing biogas for cooking and biofertilizer for our garden beds. This closed-loop system minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency, providing practical learning opportunities for our students.
Students in the lower primary school have their garden beds at OSC where they learn the principles of permaculture cultivating fruit, vegetables, and herbs. The harvested vegetables are then brought to the school cafeteria and prepared to provide healthy, nutritious meals for the kids.
Looking to the future, we plan to renovate our school buildings to enhance energy efficiency, incorporating solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems to further reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally, we recently unveiled a state-of-the-art 900-litre biogas plant, poised to revolutionize our sustainability approach by converting canteen food waste into valuable resources.
In collaboration with AGC Innovate (Pvt) Ltd., we’ve pioneered a project to convert plastic waste into a resilient, eco-friendly driveway within our school, setting a new standard for waste management and resource efficiency.
Through these initiatives and collaborations, we aim not only to preserve the environment but also to cultivate responsible global citizens committed to sustainability. OSC stands as a true steward of sustainability, leading by example and inspiring positive change within our community and beyond.
How does OSC integrate environmental education into its curriculum, and what impact does it have on students’ understanding of sustainability?
We prioritize seamlessly integrating environmental education into our holistic approach, instilling a profound understanding of sustainability in our students. This multifaceted approach transcends traditional learning, fostering real-world environmental stewardship.
At OSC, environmental studies are integral to our comprehensive curriculum. From classroom discussions to street-sweeping programmes and recycling initiatives, we emphasize hands-on engagement with ecological challenges. We aim to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to contribute to a sustainable future.
Our educational paradigm seamlessly merges the IB curriculum with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. This integration extends beyond the classroom, inspiring our community to actively address ecological challenges.
Sustainability is not an add-on at OSC; it’s woven throughout our curriculum. It shapes courses across disciplines, allowing students to explore global sustainability issues from various perspectives. Through practical projects like campus-wide recycling and biodiversity enhancement, students engage directly with sustainability, aligning with the IB’s emphasis on impactful learning through action.
We also achieved a remarkable milestone by being awarded the first-ever Programme of Distinction in Sustainability by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS), USA. This prestigious recognition underscores OSC’s exemplary commitment to sustainability across all operational and educational facets by integrating sustainability into the curriculum, encouraging students from primary to secondary levels to engage in impactful sustainability practices daily.
The Eco-Schools Green Flag Award validates our efforts, recognizing student engagement and our commitment to ecological excellence. Our goal is to inspire other schools to prioritize environmental sustainability, integrating it into everyday life. Through this integrated curriculum, we aim to cultivate well-informed, environmentally conscious scholars and citizens.
Would you like to tell us more about your cutting-edge biogas plant and how it has contributed to the school’s sustainability goals?
This facility marks a pivotal shift in our sustainability approach, converting canteen food waste into valuable biogas for cooking and biofertilizer for our gardens.
Beyond waste management, this plant is a key educational tool across our IB programmes. By integrating renewable energy technology, we inspire our community to prioritize environmental sustainability. This initiative showcases the practical benefits of sustainable practices, setting a precedent not only in Sri Lanka but also in Colombo.
The success of this project is owed to the dedication of our Recycling & Sustainability service group, whose tireless efforts in recycling cardboard, plastic, and paper provided crucial funding. Their work highlights the tangible results of our community’s conservation commitment.
As we expand our green initiatives, we encourage community involvement and support. Our receipt of the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, a first in Sri Lanka, underscores our leadership in sustainability and fosters collective action for a greener future.
What measures has OSC taken to ensure that its commitment to sustainability extends beyond the campus and influences broader community engagement?
A standout initiative at OSC is our Gecko Street-Sweepers, dedicated to combating air pollution and fostering a sustainable future in Colombo. They began with weekly street clean-ups, targeting pollution “hotspots” exacerbated by waste burning, especially plastics.
Originally, the Street-Sweepers collected all waste, awaiting weekly disposal services. A visit to Viridis Recycling changed everything. Discovering the value of PET bottles, they transformed their efforts into an educational and profitable recycling drive, selling plastics, tin cans, and glass.
Their dedication garnered community support, reducing hotspots and improving air quality. Monthly recycling routines repurpose plastics into products like brooms and t-shirts, fostering community pride and environmental stewardship.
Financially, their first trip to Viridis earned them Rs2,700 (about $10), signalling a shift towards beneficial recycling practices. Their movement has grown, emphasizing collective action for sustainability.
Beyond technology, sustainability is integral to our holistic education. Leveraging our Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, we educate and inspire others. Our Recycling & Sustainability service group spearheads efforts in recycling paper, cardboard, and plastic, engaging third-party entities.
Through these initiatives, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our school community, fostering a collective approach to environmental responsibility.
In what ways does OSC prepare its students to become future leaders in sustainability and environmental stewardship, both locally and globally?
At OSC, we take a proactive approach to nurturing future sustainability leaders, integrating environmental education seamlessly into our International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. By embedding sustainability throughout our curriculum, we instil a deep understanding of environmental issues from diverse perspectives, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for leadership.
Central to our strategy is practical application. Our innovative 900-litre biogas system, managed by students, exemplifies energy efficiency and waste reduction while providing hands-on learning. Additionally, initiatives like the OSC Gecko Street-Sweepers engage our community in sustainability efforts, teaching civic responsibility and leadership.
Participation in the Eco-Schools programme, culminating in the Green Flag Award, underscores our commitment to environmental action. Guiding students through audits and outreach prepares them for leadership roles locally and globally.
Through these practices, we equip our students to be effective environmental leaders, capable of making a difference worldwide. Our Geckos embrace global responsibility, understanding the impact of their actions on the planet’s future.