SUVA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian government has topped up about 80,000 student eTransport cards as part of its efforts to build a cashless society.

The Fiji's Ministry of Education said on Thursday that the government-subsidised student eTransport cards are now eligible for redemption before the start of Term 1 next Monday.

The ministry said that to access these funds, all students carrying blue eTransport cards need to get the balance loaded into their cards using the "redeem" function on any eTicketing machines installed on buses, or by visiting any Vodafone/Valuefone and Mr Mobile outlets or District Education Offices.

All cards are open for redemption from Thursday. Parents and students are urged to redeem these funds ahead of the start of Term 1 next Monday.

For years, the Fijian government has made more moves towards a cashless society. In October, 2017, the eTransport system was introduced in the island nation to counter pilferage by bus companies and also help Fijians adapt to a cashless society as the world is changing that way.

Since December, 2017, all payments made by the Fijian government departments have been switched to be done electronically without issuing cheques, adding to Fiji's change of becoming a cashless society.