Journal of Management and Marketing Research Volume 18- February, 2015 Human capital management, page 1 Human capital management in Zimbabwean rural schools: A socio-economic analysis Promise Zvavahera National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe ABSTRACT This paper discusses the impact of socio-economic factors in the management of human capital in Zimbabwean rural schools. A case study approach was taken focusing on Mazowe District. The researcher used observations, questionnaires, telephone interviews and face to face interviews to obtain data from teachers and administrative staff in Mazowe District who were randomly selected. The study found that teachers were disgruntled with their current salaries, poor working and living conditions thereby leading to poor educational results at both Primary and Secondary school levels. Accommodation for teachers and other infrastructure in most schools under the study were found to be inadequate and inhabitable. The study recommended that good compensation, good working conditions, adequate accommodation and teaching and learning materials and infrastructure are critical in motivating and retaining teachers in Zimbabwean rural schools. The study is significant in that it identifies promising areas on which the government can work on to provide quality education to the rural folk so that they can successfully participate in the national and global economy. Keywords: human capital, management, motivation, retention, socio-economic factors Copyright statement: Authors retain the copyright to the manuscripts published in AABRI journals. Please see the AABRI Copyright Policy at http://www.aabri.com/copyright.html.