Nelia Cruz Sarcol was a flight attendant before returning to school and graduating magna cum laude. She also received awards from two prestigious international honor societies in the USA. She eventually founded the CIE British School, which is recognized by the University of Cambridge International Examinations, UK.
Nelia calls this, “The School for Leaders.”
Established in 1207, the University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in the world. Its International Examinations is the world’s largest provider of high-quality, leading edge qualifications that meet the ongoing demands of employers and educators across the world.
Briefly, the CIE British School awards British IGCSE and GCE A Level qualifications to its high school and pre-university students.
To date, there are now three campuses: Makati, Cebu, and Tacloban. College bachelor degrees have been added as well as a Master’s degree in Management. The current CIE Non-Academic Programmes that complement the rigors of academics are impressive as well: Art, Violin, Swimming, Aikido, Fencing, Golf and Travel.
A handsome structure that houses the CIE British School main campus on President Magsaysay Avenue in Cebu symbolizes the vision and dedication built into this school by Teacher Nelia.
It would be difficult to put in a nutshell all of Nelia’s continuing roster of accomplishments and achievements but a review of a simple and unpretentious but very patriotic book provides an insight of what drives this gem of a woman.
The Pearl Principle, by Teacher Nelia and published in 2008 by the CIE Global Colleges, Inc., tells the cycle of life of the oyster giving birth to the pearl. It recounts how the teredo microorganisms invade the oyster and make it secrete nacre to protect itself. Out of this unique natural event, the beautiful, precious pearl emerges as well as its story of inspiration.
Nelia likens this to adversities that constantly challenge Filipinos and which they can transform into opportunities to improve themselves as a people and a nation.
Nelia to this day espouses the Pearl Principle as a guiding post for herself, her school, and the people around her. She looks at it as a movement any one can join in or dedicate one’s self to, and harness in the continuing effort to create a progressive nation and its citizenry.
Her international and local academic titles and recognition are like the pearl’s nacre, continuing to build up and endow her with a rare and unique luster and, which, she in turn, shares with her school, the CIE British School.
To quote the proud description of Teacher Nelia’s CIE British School, The School of Leaders: “It is a center of excellence that develops creative people who are imbued and equipped with outstanding academic skills, innovative thinking, pioneering spirit, entrepreneurial mindset and strength of character to make a lasting contribution to improve the quality of life as enlightened generative leaders and channels in social transformation.”