Information, Education and Communication (IEC) are important components of the TSC. In the past supply driven CRSP was implemented under which large number of toilets have been constructed. Unfortunately, this massive effort could not achieve the desirable success, as the toilets were not put to use largely due to lack of demand, lack of participation in programme implementation and, lack of awareness among the community regarding health and hygiene aspects of safe drinking water and clean sanitation facilities. Therefore under TSC, GOI seeks to educate the public; create awareness among them regarding good health and proper hygiene; provide solutions to areas in need; build alliances with like minded organizations and the community as a whole; and create long term success by facilitating community involvement and ownership. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) main role is to create awareness and to bring about hygiene behavioral changes.
The activities carried out under this component are area specific and involve all sections of the rural population, in a manner, where willingness of the people to construct latrines is generated. The IEC should also focus on health and hygiene practices and environmental sanitation aspects. Under IEC, wall painting on a community building or hoardings should display the details of activities undertaken in that Panchayat. Further, audio/ video clippings in AIR, Doordarshan and cable TVs may be screened for demand generation. IEC funding will be in the ratio of 80:20 between GOI and the State Governments and the total IEC cost should not be less than 15 per cent of the project. Each project district should prepare a detailed IEC action plan with defined strategies to reach all sections of the community. Funds available under IEC may be used for imparting hygiene education to the people as well as children in schools. Click for Techniques of IEC