John Tallach High School: Covid19 response

Dear friends, family and alumni of John Tallach,

Many of you may have heard that the school is currently under lockdown due to a Covid 19 outbreak. The school has been labeled a redzone and they are still testing students to ascertain the full extent of the crisis. There is a great need for supplies to help reduce the spread of the virus and these include masks, gloves, hand sanitisers, hospital grade disinfectant and most importantly cash to aid a flexible and through response. Any assistance is welcome, there is no amount too small.

For those based overseas, please click on the Donate button below.

For those based in Zimbabwe, these are the John Tallach details

Ecocash Number: 0772 756 592

Bank account number: ZB BANK, JASON MOYO BULAWAYO. ZWL ACC-4307 385151-080 / USD NOSTRO ACC - 4307 385151-405

For donations in kind: 
John Tallach High School Town Office

Funds that are donated from the diaspora will be sent to Zimbabwe via WorldRemit. While those donated in Zimbabwe, will go directly to the school.


Below are the main details we know. Please be patient with the admins as they are playing a key role on the ground and will be updating these details as promptly as possible.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, it is very much appreciated and you have made a huge impact in fight COVID-19.



What we know

1.The school is presently a red zone.

2.Apart from lockdown, a clinic has been set up at the school with 10 health
personnel including nurses and EHTs

3.There is security provided by members of the national police service.

4.Testing is on going. There are 626 students , 33 teachers and 4 support
staff present at the school.

5.So far ,428 tests have been run and these tested positive for Covid 19:-

4 teachers ,22 boys ,and 97 girls .

All these are asymptomatic and as such
they are at school in isolation.

6.All those at school have been grouped
into 4 groups viz :-

(a)those that have tested

(b)those that have not tested

(c)those that tested negative

(d)those that tested positive

7.None of the people at the school are showing any signs of illness and the students are in high spirits. They play,study and interact within their respective groupings.

8.The school expects to have tested everyone else by Friday 20th of November.

9.The school proposed to release the students  who have tested negative and are not sitting for any public examinations.The proposal shall be considered by the
Ministry. Until such a time as the proposal has been considered and directives given by the Ministry, the school shall not release anyone.

11.Servcor is still providing food delivery services and those assisting with cooking have put in additional hours at work.

12.The parents association intends to provide special assistance in the form of food hampers to the teachers during this period as they are presently immobilised.

13.The SDC continues to work with the school authorities and the Ministries;all official communication will be through the SDC and or the Head.Parents and all other stake holders are urged to utilise the official channels of communication so as to obtain accurate information. Misinformation causes panic,discomfort, uneasiness and adds unnecessary pressure on all those dealing with the unusual situation which is the new normal.

14.The SDC shall continue to regularly provide updates on the situation on the ground and as at when the updates are available. To that end, parents are urged to ignore all and any misinformation emanating from unofficial sources.