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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging: Ensuring That All Belong.
The history of The Overseas School of Colombo forms a rich, multifaceted tapestry that embodies our motto of “Unity in Diversity”. With a community of learners, teachers, and staff from all over the world, we have the privilege of belonging to a community of global perspectives, each, uniquely insightful. Entrusted with this community, we are beholden to examining the ways in which Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging are interconnected, and utilising these principles to set up practices and systems that create a safe, inclusive space for all, empowering all our students to grow in their journey to becoming responsible, mindful, and compassionate citizens. One way we do this is by melding learning with multicultural acceptance, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, social responsibility, personal accountability, and civic duty.
To begin with, we re-evaluated our Mission, Vision, and Values in order to take steps towards creating an inclusive environment. We collaborated with the Big Questions Institute and experts such as Homa Tavangar and Will Richardson, and sought the help of our diverse community by forming a guiding coalition made up of students, staff, parents, and alumni. Together, we were drawn towards new understandings of our core OSC philosophy that reflected our clear, purpose-driven wish to create a sanctuary where every individual feels like they truly belong, becoming an inclusive community committed to anti-racism and social justice.
At OSC, we view discomfort and mistakes as opportunities for growth, encouraging everyone in our community to identify and appreciate differences so as to confront any biases we might unconsciously hold. Individual action plays a large role in erasing prejudice; however, our goal includes challenging structures that uphold privilege, teaching our learners that trust, mutual understanding, and love are pillars of a safe space. Our students receive holistic education, and are treated with dignity regardless of cultural background, racial and gender identity, sexual orientation and religious or philosophical beliefs.
In order to truly evolve, we began comprehensive professional development programmes that highlight self-awareness, knowledge, and understanding. Introducing and using tools such as the Identity Wheel, Teacher Surveys, and the Implicit Bias Test, we aimed to deeply examine and internalise DEIJB concepts. This process has required building trust in our community and having open, honest conversations about the presence of oppression in our School. Our goal throughout this journey is to identify and dismantle implicit biases in our curriculum and assessments, giving credence to our aim to make OSC a truly inclusive space that welcomes all.
The language used at OSC is inclusive, both in and outside of our classrooms. We strive to avoid expressions that may alienate groups of people, ensuring that everyone truly feels like they belong. Our curriculum is reviewed regularly in order to uphold standards of inclusivity. Using the lenses of Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Doors, critical questions are asked about whose stories emerge and whose are sidelined. By identifying gaps where perspectives and cultures are absent and then supporting their inclusion, our goal is to let our students see themselves and their experiences reflected in the curriculum while expanding their viewpoints to encompass backgrounds and cultures they may be unfamiliar with. Incorporating fair representation into our curriculum enriches our students’ understanding of the world. This creates a learning environment where every student feels valued and celebrated for who they are.
The values of DEIJB have been entrenched into our hiring practices as well. We recognise the need for diverse leadership, and so a search committee including DEIJB Committee members was formed. This cultural shift was further highlighted in the training sessions conducted for every school employee by experts such as Darnell Fine, Alysa Perreras, and Jennifer Beckwith who spoke on topics such as implicit bias and white supremacy. This initiative has led to significant changes in our community. DEIJB values at OSC are not simply an ideal but a practiced reality. Our commitment to DEIJB principles is unwavering, as we continue to work towards a future where every member of our community feels valued and included.
