Analysis of Teaching Human Rights Values at University Level in Pakistan

Human rights contribute to peaceful coexistence among citizens, which leads to societal and national progress as well. The present research focused on the analysis of the human rights teaching practices at higher education level in Pakistan. Fifteen (15) heads of departments, 61 teachers, and 419 students of BS programs were selected as a sample from four departments of four public universities of the Punjab (Pakistan). Human Rights (HRs) was considered as an aggregate of nine values; which were here rearranged in descending order of their rank as per their prevalence in teaching practices of the sampled teachers -- truth, integrity, respect for human dignity, freedom and responsibility, equality and justice, acceptance/appreciation of diversity, cooperation, accountability, and honesty. 'Truth' was the most focused value, and 'honesty' was the least. Human Rights Values (HRVs) were being taught less than that of the expectations of the students and teachers. Therefore, HRVs should be taught to the university students more frequently. Keeping in view greater importance of civic engagement and citizenship, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) can offer a distinct course regarding Human Rights Education in its guiding principles for universities in its sponsorships.