When the Republican Period began, Tan developed close relations with the Nationalist government, relying on his membership in the early revolutionary society Tung Meng Hui.With the additional factor of his considerable wealth, he indulged himself without reservation in various altruistic educational endeavors. He also commissioned his younger brother Tan Keng Hean to return to their home town and take charge of the business of founding and upgrading schools.
民國光復後，他憑著身為海外「同盟會」一員，和對國民政府的深厚情誼，加上財產快速累積，於是毫不保留地投入各項公益教育事業，並委託弟弟陳敬賢回鄉負責興學的事。