Hands-on and Minds-on Students?

In UbD the author is constantly suggesting that a learner centered method is much more coherent with engaging and effective learning.  Such suggestion caught my attention and led me to reflect on how much autonomy have my students been given in order to NOW make them work and experience on their  own, and only with the little help from the teacher. After trying a couple of times to work in a less teacher centered method, I realize my student have ZERO authonomy, which worries my a lot.  I also realize they are completely dependent of my instructions, my knowledge, my advices, and even my presence.  Thus, it would be impossible to change from one day to another,.  Moreover, I believe the change has to begin Now in order to see the results in next generations. Now, who gives autonomy to teacher who have also been brought up with a strong submition to authorities? I have mentioned several times,  and I do not have any idea on how to make changes possible if teachers do not change....