Malaysia’s education sector reached a meaningful turning point as YelaoShr marked its transition into a licensed franchise brand through the onboarding of 66 new franchisees from across the country. This development reflects the company’s evolution from a homegrown early childhood education provider into a structured and scalable business model that empowers wider participation in early childhood education in Malaysia. The ceremony was officiated by the Chairman of the Malaysian Franchise Association, Datuk Dr. Radzali Hassan, and highlighted YelaoShr’s readiness to grow through a nationwide franchise network. With its framework now aligned under Malaysian franchise law, the brand is opening new pathways for aspiring edupreneurs to deliver high-quality, child-focused learning within their own communities.
This expansion effort is supported by a dynamic group of franchise partners made up of educators, parents, and first-time entrepreneurs, each committed to making personalised education more accessible. Their involvement signals strong market confidence in YelaoShr’s model and lays the foundation for sustainable grassroots growth driven by local ownership and standardised support.
Driving this next chapter are four core entities that form the foundation of YelaoShr’s ecosystem. YelaoShr Education Group Sdn. Bhd. delivers language and communication programmes that are recognised by the Ministry of Education. YelaoShr Education Academy Sdn. Bhd. leads teacher training and technical and vocational education and training initiatives. Sribhagawan Innovation Group Sdn. Bhd. develops proprietary education technologies, while ClassOne Elearning Education Sdn. Bhd. enables scalable and cross-border digital learning. Together, these entities support YelaoShr’s ambition to operate 300 learning centres nationwide by the year 2028, while also exploring regional expansion to countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore. Central to this strategy is the franchise model, which blends educational purpose with entrepreneurial opportunity, enabling communities to take ownership of meaningful and high-quality learning experiences.
According to Datuk Dr. Radzali Hassan, franchising done right can unlock social impact at scale. He noted that when a good idea is franchised, its benefits multiply not only in terms of profits but also in reach, accessibility, and opportunity. He added that this is exactly what YelaoShr is doing.
To commemorate the occasion, YelaoShr also unveiled a new publication titled “Finnish Education is What Malaysian Children Need the Most.” The book draws inspiration from Finland’s renowned education model and Malaysia’s Madani Education Framework 2025 to 2035. It presents a unified vision for child-centric learning that captures the essence of YelaoShr’s approach. The publication highlights an ecosystem where educators, students, and families co-create learning environments that balance structure with imagination and academic rigour with emotional intelligence.
Dr. Carol Yap Yee Yee, Co-Founder of YelaoShr, expressed that they are building an ecosystem where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive regardless of their background. Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. David Yap Wing Fai, emphasised in his speech that franchising is not merely a business model for YelaoShr, but a mission of empowerment. He said the goal is to make it easier for more Malaysians, especially women, educators, and young professionals, to own and operate education centres using a proven system with real support and meaningful impact. As YelaoShr embarks on nationwide expansion, he shared that the aim is to grow to 300 centres across Malaysia by 2028. He added that this growth is not just about numbers, but about seeing 300 success stories of transformation.
To support this ambitious goal, YelaoShr signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HELP University. This collaboration allows students from HELP to undertake internships at YelaoShr centres and offers high-performing graduates a transition pathway into the brand’s franchise development programme. The programme includes mentorship, training, and startup support. Additionally, annual sponsored awards will help outstanding graduates establish their own YelaoShr centres. This reflects the group’s commitment to nurturing future edupreneurs from the ground up.
Founded by David and Carol, YelaoShr has grown from a modest home-based language enrichment programme into a national education platform with over 60 centres across Malaysia. Guided by principles of equitable access, sustainability, and innovation, the company’s mission has always been to bridge learning gaps, nurture potential, and create inclusive pathways for students from all backgrounds. With its initiatives aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, YelaoShr has also embedded gender equality and inclusive education as key priorities in its work.
The event concluded with a proud milestone as YelaoShr was honoured with two recognitions from the ASEAN Records. The awards acknowledged the brand’s achievement in producing the highest number of graduates from Malaysia’s first trilingual one-on-one personalised learning programme for formative ages. It was also recognised for sealing the most franchise memoranda of agreement in a single day by a Malaysian personalised education brand. This brand has also been recognised by HundrED for global scalability. These recognitions highlight YelaoShr’s leadership in the region and validate the strength of its educational model as it continues to expand beyond national borders.
Underscoring its commitment to community and social responsibility, YelaoShr also made donations worth over RM30,000 to three organisations. These were 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 contributions reflect YelaoShr’s values-driven approach to growth, one that uplifts not only its franchisees but also the wider community it serves.
To learn more about YelaoShr’s programmes, vision, and commitment to transforming learning for all, visit yelaoshr.edu.my. For franchise opportunities with YelaoShr, log on to yelaoshr.edu.my/franchise.
