Decentralisation and thus school autonomy creates structural leeway - at school level mainly as regards teaching, at the provincial level manly relating to resource management. School autonomy in teaching means regional needs can be met and the school profile enhanced (curricular autonomy).

Curricular autonomy facilities both the selection of special focuses as foreseen by the curriculum and the development of training focuses which are chosen autonomously by the school.  In addition schools can develop alternative compulsory subject areas which enable the students to design their school career in line with individual talents and interests. Furthermore, optional educational provision, such as optional subjects, may be specified within the scope of the school’s autonomy to provide important additional  qualifications for practice, for example.