is study combines heuristic and phenomenological approaches to analyze past phenomena regarding issues related to the
implementation of school autonomy. A naturalistic approach regarding contemporary logical phenomena is used to see the
practice of school autonomy after being returned to the provincial government. e main data sources of this study were
school principals, teachers, school committee administrators, education leaders, and experts who were selected at random.
e results of the study revealed that, in the early phase of regional autonomy, schools had �exible authority in managing the
contribution of the provincial government; quality control through the results of the National Examination became the
main requirement in determining graduation and became a source of pride for district/city governments. District/city
governments compete �ercely in achieving the highest ranking through the implementation of the National Examination.
�is causes cheating to often become a debated issue among education observers and the public regarding the imple�mentation of the National Examination. �e research �ndings show that, since 2017, the issue of cheating on the National
Examination is no longer a frightening specter because student graduation is no longer only determined by the
National Examination.