The Tarlac State University Alumni Association honored Mr. Edison David with a "Distinguished Alumni Award" after being awarded the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by His Majesty King Charles III in the 2025 New Year Honours List.
The London-based Filipino educator, who completed his Master of Arts in Education major in Administration and Supervision at TSU in 1997, was recognized by the TSUAAI on Thursday morning (March 5) at the Alumni Center, Lucinda Campus.
The MBE is the third-highest rank in the Order of the British Empire. It acknowledges individuals who are committed to service and have made a significant impact on their communities.
Mr. David was awarded the MBE, particularly for his services to the education sector in the United Kingdom.
He is an executive headteacher of two London primary schools, namely Granton Primary School and Kings Avenue Primary School, both outstanding-rated schools in the London Borough of Lambeth.
"When I learned about the news, I did not think about the medal—I thought about my mother. I thought about her sacrifices, her long hours in the classroom, her quiet prayers, and this honor belongs to her and her alone... It also belongs to all Filipino teachers who work tirelessly, often without recognition. It belongs to you, Tarlac State University. It belongs to Tarlac as a city and as a province," Mr. David said.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, he started his teaching profession in 1994 at San Manuel High School in Tarlac City before moving to the UK.
"Sir Edison, your accomplishments bring great pride and distinction to our institution, and your journey remains a powerful force of inspiration, guiding and motivating the whole TSU community to pursue excellence and service," TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco said in a message delivered by Asst. Prof. Maricor Cheska B. Santos, presidential communications secretary.
Outstanding services to education
In 2012, the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), the United Kingdom's highest inspectorate board, approached Mr. David to serve as one of its inspectors. He accepted it and treated it as an opportunity to transform schools in the UK.
The board conducts school inspections every four years, with less than 24 hours' notice before each visit.
"We inspected without fear or favor. On those days, we are not allowed to drink any of their coffee or water. They will not give us anything because they are expecting 'without their favor.' And if a school is not providing good quality of education, then we recommend the closure of schools. I've closed a good number of schools in England because they are not a good value for money and because the children are not getting good enough quality of education," Mr. David said in his speech.
Two years later, he became the lead inspector for Ofsted. He also became a lifetime Fellow of the National College of Teachers in England, where only 12 individuals hold the fellowship.
Mr. David helped underperforming schools by extending his strategies to improve teaching quality and adhere to an inclusive learning environment. As a School Improvement Consultant, his expertise was also significant in advising school leaders to raise academic standards, especially for disadvantaged students, and in ensuring more positive outcomes for students.
"But titles are not the story; children are the story. Learners are the core of everything that I do. It doesn't matter who I am talking to...We always return to the people that matter—and those are the young people, the learners," Mr. David further said.
Giving back to TSU
According to Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza, Mr. David committed his time and effort to establishing a "very good" partnership to strengthen the university's internationalization through faculty-student mobility.
"Here is what I carry with me: my father's moral compass and my mother's work ethic and the academic discipline of my beloved university, including Tarlac State University," Mr. David said.
He also gave three learning points from his journey. First, never stop learning, skill up, and always take professional development; second, raise standards but keep humanity; and third, focus on the most vulnerable child in the room.
The event was also attended by Hon. Reynaldo Catacutan, TSUAAI president and alumni regent, and the TSUAAI officers. (jlm-OPA)
Photo: Franc Lewis R. Juanatas
