Everything in Saudi Arabia is under study. This “study” is taking control of our lives and future. Improving the educational system, the curriculum and school building are under study.
Plans for tourism, attracting tourism investment and tourists are under study. Solving the problems of foreign investment is under study.
Economic, managerial and political reform is under study. Paying the aggravated national debt is under study. Fighting poverty is under study.
Scarcity of water and the problem of desalination plants are under study. The results and recommendations of the national dialogue forum are under study.
The privatization of some government agencies is under study.
Introducing English and computers into the elementary school curriculum is under study.
Subjecting university majors to the needs of the job market is under study.
Everything in Saudi Arabia is under study: Even finding an alternative to mother’s milk is under study. Because this alternative is important and dangerous at the same time and because our doctors are ignorant about it, it has been under study at the Shoura Council for a long time.
“Under study” is very similar to the other word most officials use to get out of having to tell the truth: “Soon.”
“Soon” is the perfect answer for them when they are asked about a project.
It translates exactly as: “What you are asking about does not exist.”
Both “soon” and “under study” mean one thing: Don’t hold your breath.
Arab News From the Local Press 9 August 2003
