Malaysia’s early childhood education sector marked a historic milestone today as YelaoShr officially transitioned into a licensed franchise brand, welcoming 66 new franchisees from across the country. This expansion signifies YelaoShr’s evolution from a homegrown initiative into a national education movement, offering a scalable and structured model that empowers individuals to participate meaningfully in early childhood learning.
Officiated by Datuk Dr. Radzali Hassan, Chairman of the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA), the ceremony underscored the brand’s readiness to drive national growth through franchising. Speaking at the event, Datuk Dr. Radzali commended the initiative, stating that when franchising is done right, it multiplies not only profit, but also accessibility, opportunity, and impact. YelaoShr, he said, is a prime example of how franchising can bring meaningful change to the education landscape.
The brand’s expansion is supported by a dynamic network of new franchise partners that includes educators, parents, and first-time entrepreneurs. Their involvement reflects growing confidence in YelaoShr’s model and reinforces the belief that local communities can take ownership of delivering personalised, high-quality education.
YelaoShr’s ambitious growth plans are powered by a well-integrated ecosystem. The group provides a full suite of services including Ministry of Education-recognised language and communication programmes, teacher training and TVET initiatives, proprietary EdTech development, and cross-border digital learning platforms. These efforts are designed to support the company’s vision of operating 300 learning centres across Malaysia by 2028, with future expansion already planned for Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore.
Co-Founder and CEO Dr. David Yap Wing Fai emphasised that franchising, for YelaoShr, is not just a business model but a mission of empowerment. He highlighted the company’s goal of enabling more Malaysians particularly women, educators, and young professionals to own and operate education centres with a proven system, comprehensive support, and strong social impact. He added that the goal of reaching 300 centres is not just about scale, but about creating 300 stories of transformation and community success.
The ceremony was made even more significant with the announcement that YelaoShr had earned two recognitions from the ASEAN Records. The company was honoured for producing the highest number of graduates from Malaysia’s first trilingual one-on-one formative learning programme, and for signing the most franchise memoranda of agreement in a single day by a Malaysian personalised education brand. These accolades not only reinforce the brand’s position as a leader in the region but also highlight the scalability and effectiveness of its model, which has also been recognised by global education platform HundrED.
To support its growing network, YelaoShr signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HELP University. The partnership allows HELP students to intern at YelaoShr centres and provides high-performing graduates a clear transition into the company’s franchise development programme. This includes mentorship, training, and startup support, ensuring a steady pipeline of well-prepared edupreneurs. Additionally, the collaboration will see annual awards granted to outstanding graduates to help them launch their own YelaoShr centres.
Further reinforcing its mission and values, YelaoShr unveiled a new book titled “Finnish Education is What Malaysian Children Need the Most”. The publication draws on Finland’s world-renowned education philosophy and aligns it with Malaysia’s Madani Education Framework 2025–2035. The book presents a unified vision of child-centric learning where imagination, emotional intelligence, and academic structure coexist to create meaningful educational experiences.
Rooted in a deep commitment to community, YelaoShr concluded the event with contributions worth over RM30,000 to three charitable organisations: Maahad Tahfiz Istiqomatuddin Sementa Klang, Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Quran Darul Falah in Melaka, and Dual Blessing Bhd., a non-profit organisation supporting persons with disabilities. These donations reflect the brand’s belief that educational success must go hand in hand with social responsibility.
Founded by Dr. David Yap and Dr. Carol Yap Yee Yee, YelaoShr has grown from a small home-based language enrichment programme into a national educational platform with over 60 centres. Its journey has been defined by a commitment to equitable access, innovation, and sustainability, with its goals aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. As the brand now expands through franchising, it remains firmly focused on bridging learning gaps, nurturing potential, and enabling children to thrive regardless of background or location.
For more information about YelaoShr’s programmes and franchise opportunities, visit yelaoshr.edu.my.