Contributions

His business success put him in the forefront of the leadership of the Hokkien community from which he originated. He held advanced views about social reform and criticised several outmoded practices then prevalent, such as gambling, opium-smoking and ritual extravagance.

By doing this, he helped promote good values and morals in Singapore, just like Mr Lim Boon Keng, who tried to stop opium smoking from destroying the lives of the chinese.



In 1921 he set up Xiamen University where Lim Boon Keng was first Vice-chancellor, and maintained it for 16 years even during his financially difficult years, before the Chinese government took it over in 1937. Among the schools he founded in Singapore are Singapore Chinese High, Daonan, Aitong, Chongfu, Huachiao and Nanyang Girls’ High. Besides Chinese schools he also made contributions to Anglo-Chinese School and Raffles College. He was also active in campaigning for educational and social reforms in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Mr Tan Kah Kee greatly helped the education system as now more children could go to school. When more children are educated, they may grow up to work as professional skilled workers, which would greatly help boosts Singapore's revenue.