A London-based Filipino teacher has been named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles III for his contributions to the education sector in the United Kingdom (UK).
Edison David, head teacher in the London Borough of Lambeth, and lead inspector of Ofsted, the UK’s national education body, was part of the 2025 New Year’s Honors list, published in the Gazette, the Crown’s official newspaper.
“I was not doing my job, I think one day I will get an MBE, even in my dreams, I think I will get an MBE because this is a great compliment,” said Mr. BusinessWorld in an interview on Tuesday.
“I make sure that I work hard every day, I always give everything I do because if I don’t start something of the highest quality, there is no need to do it,” he added.
Before moving abroad, Mr. David began his teaching career in a public school in Tarlac City in 1994.
“I think my experience is proof that anything and everything is possible if you work hard,” she said. “It’s not something that happens overnight, you have to work hard for it; respect comes from your hard work.”
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would first be a school leader in the United Kingdom, but I would also be given membership in the most prestigious program of the British Empire,” he added.
The MBE is the third highest Order of the British Empire, outside of knighthood/damehood, after Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).
A person is recognized as an MBE for “distinguished achievement, or service to the community that has had a significant long-term impact.”
Among the celebrities nominated for an MBE are English singer Adele and football manager and former player Steven Gerrard.
In 2023, Filipino nurse Brenda Deocampo was also awarded an MBE for her excellence in managing the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 crisis at Charing Cross Hospital.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PHL EDUCATIONAL LEADERS
Before receiving his recognition in the UK, Mr. David said he has contacted various government officials in the Philippines, including Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, who heads the Senate Education Committee, to help improve the country’s education.
“I think the most important thing in the Philippines itself is probably to realize that there are Filipinos who have gained a lot of knowledge and wisdom to share in the Philippine education system,” he said.
“The recommendations I gave are very clear, very accurate,” he added. “If they have time to read it, they will find wisdom and knowledge in it because it is actually supported by evidence.”
One of the main recommendations made by Mr. David addressed the importance of artificial sounds and the systematic way of their use throughout the country.
“I think every school in the country, in the Philippines, should be able to teach artificial sounds as a method,” he said. “There should be a comprehensive, very important, artificial learning system.”
“The ability to see and really understand what a text is telling you involves the development of skills around interpretation and deduction, and basically, the ability to make good decisions fluently,” he added.
Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) found that approximately 24.8 million Filipinos are illiterate or those who find it difficult to understand and use written information in daily activities. – Almira Louise S. Martinez
