Saujana Cares Foundation (SCF), in partnership with Solve Education!, celebrates the remarkable achievements of 100 Malaysian secondary school students who participated in the 2024-2025 Speechmakers Programme.
Speechmakers emphasises real-world speaking, confidence-building and self-expression, helping students use English as a tool.
This initiative empowers students, many from underserved backgrounds, to speak confidently, share their stories, and connect through language with purpose.
Now in its second year, the Speechmakers Programme provides structured, holistic support that blends artificial intelligence (AI)-powered learning, gamified lessons, and real-time coaching with community-driven enrichment.
The initiative focused on building skill and self-belief among young learners from five secondary schools across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan and Pahang.
“Alongside measurable gains in speaking skills, we focused on helping students use English with confidence, clarity and purpose,” said Solve Education! chief executive officer Janine Teo.
“What matters is seeing students begin to trust their own voice and speak up with conviction,” she added.
Speechmakers is anchored in Solve Education!’s GAIN framework: Gamification, AI coaching, Incentives and Network.
Through gamified lessons and progress tracking, students received consistent feedback and repeated speaking practice, key drivers of both skill improvement and confidence.
They also submitted monthly speaking videos, received targeted coaching and joined quarterly speaking workshops and competitions judged on fluency, clarity and creativity.
Students participated in three enrichment activities that made learning real – video competitions, international forums in which students spoke online alongside peers from Nigeria, Indonesia, Singapore and India, and speaking activities that included live podcasts, debates and role-plays.
Students like Shafira Aleeya, Nik Auni Humaira and Qaseh Nozlan went from fearing oral exams to confidently delivering full speeches.
One of the most powerful moments occurred at SMK Yaacob Latif, Kuala Lumpur, where student Taufiq Abdullah delivered a podcast about the challenges of growing up without citizenship.
SCF director Aisha Hassan said the organisation was proud to be part of a programme like this because it’s about enacting real change.
“When I watch your videos, when I hear the feedback, that’s what I see, real change.
“You are not just inspiring your teachers and the SE! team, but all of us individually.
“This gift you’re giving yourselves through your determination to learn, it really is priceless,” said Aisha.
SCF and Solve Education! have worked together since 2021 to expand equitable education access across Malaysia.
In the 2022-2023 cycle alone, the partnership reached over 1,000 students and saw over 500,000 digital lessons delivered.
In 2024-2025, the partnership made a deliberate shift from scale to depth, prioritising sustained engagement, intensive mentoring, and real-world application for a focused cohort.
Supported by teachers, facilitators and volunteers across Malaysia and beyond, students also received mentorship.
The 2025 Speechmakers Programme concluded with an appreciation ceremony and awards presentation, celebrating both academic results and personal growth.
